PLANS to expand Carroll Cotton Gin’s production to 100,000 tonnes per year of raw cotton product has been approved by Gunnedah Shire Council at its meeting last night.
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Development approval was granted in 1999 for the production of 11,350 tonnes of processed lint cotton per year (28,375 tonnes of raw cotton product), which resulted in the addition of the gin’s fourth stand.
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said the $19 million major upgrade project will not only increase cotton ginning production, but increase the speed of the process, maximising return on investment for growers in the region.
“This is a family-owned and operated business by the Davies family, and their innovation and dedication is a credit to them to be looking to the future with their expansion,” Cr Chaffey said.
“Council has a strong focus on economic development and this upgrade is an investment in the Gunnedah Shire economy.
“The annual production figures for Carroll Cotton Co will increase from approximately $65 million to $110 million – a huge plus for our Shire, local growers and the cotton industry.”
Director Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said work on the gin is proposed to begin in 2018 across three stages.
“Stage one involves the construction of a farm building for the storage of machinery and other equipment,” he said.
“Stage two will see the conversion of a farm building and the construction of another to accommodate the expansion.
“This stage will also see the installation of new ginning equipment, as well as water storage to support the upgrade. Stage three will see the installation of additional ginning equipment.”
Carroll Cotton Co directors Scott and Trudy Davies welcomed the news.
“This is a culmination of 18 months of work to get us to this point and we look forward to moving on with this project,” Mr Davies said.
“A big thank you to staff and consultants who have worked with us on this process – it is very satisfying to have a positive outcome.
“There were also 43 submissions in favour of the DA, and we thank everyone for their support.
“The Carroll Cotton Gin has been in operation for 21 years and this will secure our future in the local community and the jobs we provide.”
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