More than 200 contract positions will be filled when the three-stage development process kicks off in October. 

General manager of corporate services Tom Maguire said only a “handful” of permanent jobs at the plant would result from the upgrade but insisted no job losses would occur despite dramatic reduction in manual handling. 

Wagga general manager of operations Andrew Ross said the new efficiency measures would ensure an approximate 25 per cent long-term saving. 

“We will continue to invest in processing locally and into Korea, Japan and China,” Mr Ross said, adding sales were sitting at 40 per cent domestic and 60 per cent export supply. He said the development would not impact onsite operations which would continue as normal.

“We’re prepared for it, from an operational side.” 

The 1030 workforce have been informed of the development and will be consulted during the entire process.

“They are highly engaged in the entire process and are looking forward to it,” Mr Ross said. “This is the start of a major capital investment.”

Wagga mayor Rod Kendall welcomed the move, saying Teys’ investment signaled the continued growth of the city’s industrial sector.

“This has cemented Wagga as a rural processing site for rural producers and this indicates the confidence (companies) have in this region,” Councillor Kendall said.

He said Teys’ investment would hopefully attract more companies to the area which would boost jobs and improve opportunities for the regions’ producers.

The plant will be able to process 1429 carcasses, up from the current limit of 1275 per day.

Mr Maguire acknowledged drought conditions had depleted cattle supply which would be a future challenge for Teys.

“(This highlights) the need to invest in making sure we produce high quality product,” he said.

“We’re making a $50 million dollar investment so we are here for the long term.”