New Plant to Process 200 Tonnes Of Pork Waste Daily

Up to 200 tonnes of porcine waste per day could be processed at a proposed new rendering facility in Laverton North under a development licence application currently before the Environmental Protection Authority.

JBS Pork Australia Pty Ltd has submitted the application seeking approval to construct a protein recovery and rendering plant at 52–58 Pipe Road, Laverton North, adjacent to its existing abattoir operations. The proposal is listed as a prescribed industrial activity under D02 – Rendering, requiring both a development licence and an operating licence.

According to the application, the facility would process porcine-only by-products at a rate of 15 tonnes per hour, primarily sourced from the neighbouring JBS abattoir. The rendering process would convert animal by-products into tallow, oils and protein-rich meal used in products such as stock feed, pet food, fertilisers and other industrial applications.

The proposal includes the construction of a dedicated processing building, enclosed material handling systems and an odour control system incorporating a biofilter. Vapours generated during processing would be captured and treated, while wastewater would be treated on site before being discharged to sewer under an existing trade waste agreement.

JBS Pork states that most raw material would be transferred internally from the adjacent abattoir through enclosed systems, reducing the need for additional truck movements and minimising odour and traffic impacts. The site is located within an established industrial precinct where heavy vehicle activity is already common.

Noise sources identified in the application include processing equipment, ventilation systems and vehicle movements. The company states these impacts would be managed through building design, operational controls and separation from residential areas.

The 2.31-hectare site was purchased by JBS Pork in November 2023 and was previously used as a sheep hide processing facility dating back to the 1950s. Historical assessments included in the application indicate arsenic was not used at the site and former structures have since been demolished.

The Environmental Protection Authority confirmed the project requires formal environmental approval following a pathways advice submission in September 2025. A separate planning permit application for the industrial use and development of the site was lodged with the Department of Transport and Planning in December 2025.

The EPA is now assessing the application and has invited community members and stakeholders to review the proposal and provide submissions before a decision is made. All feedback will be considered as part of the assessment process to determine whether the development complies with environmental regulations and minimises impacts on the surrounding area.