2018 is set to be a huge year for the Swickers Bacon Factory and the South Burnett community, starting this week with the official opening and sod turning ceremony says LNP leader Deb Frecklington.
Ms Frecklington, who is also the Member for Nanango, said Swickers had made an amazing recovery over the past year since the fire in November 2016, and it was fantastic to join with the owners, employees and community to celebrate the official opening of the restored facilities.
“It is inspirational to see the results of the hard work the Swickers staff have put in to make this a reality,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It has been a mammoth task, and we can’t thank Swickers enough for the commitment they have made to remain in our community and grow the pork industry.
The announcement to further expand the business with a new $60 million abattoir extension is fantastic and will really boost the local economy.”
Swickers is the region’s largest employer and the largest pork processor in the southern hemisphere.
“This is a state-of-the-art facility supporting primary producers growing the best pork in the world,” Ms Frecklington said.
“We have much to be proud of here in Kingaroy.
On top of the official events being held this week, Mrs Frecklington said the region would also be put on the map with Kingaroy’s first ever ‘BaconFest’ on August 24-26, an idea being brought to life by an enthusiastic group of local community members.
“There’s a lot of excitement and interest in the inaugural festival being held in August this year,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It will celebrate life in the South Burnett, and use bacon, one of the nation’s favourite foods, to attract thousands of new visitors to our region.
“Plus, SunPork Fresh Foods have announced they will sponsor $25,000 towards getting this first event off the ground.
“That’s a major commitment to the region and this fantastic initiative.”
