General News
8 November, 2024
QA Hay updates community on massive Warracknabeal project
Co-owner of Warracknabeal's newest hay export company-QA Hay, Scott Somers, addressed the crowd of community members during Warracknabeal Action Group's (WAG) recent annual general meeting.
He gave an update on recent works and developments for the new QA Hay site, currently under construction, at the meeting.
Mr Somers said they are running a month a head of schedule, of what was originally predicted, with the massive project .
"Even though it doesn't look like it, the main shed is the only bit that we're focused on at the moment, because that's what makes us run," he said.
The concrete pad for the main hay press was poured last week which is 750mm (47") deep of reinforced concrete.
"The actual hay press, which is probably about a quarter of a the factory, weighs a massive 73 tonnes and runs the length of the Henty Highway facing main factory."
"When they pick that machine up and the big crane goes out, if we don't have that thick weight bearing concrete under it, they'll just punch straight through it and we won't be able to lift it again, so we have to get it right."
He said the main press was planned to be installed in the next three to four weeks, but will now be just after Christmas.
"When we're up and running, we will be the largest hay press factory in the world and by a long way," Mr Somers said.
"It will really be double the capacity of anyone else."
Mr Somers also spoke about the employment of 60 workers, primarily from a community of Filipino people who will move to Warracknabeal.
"They want to play football, they want to get involved in Australian culture," he said.
"Normally families, a grandfather, a son, a daughter and everyone, that's why they are called, 'the community'.”
With housing being an ongoing issue throughout the state, Mr Somers said they have been working with the shire to build more housing for the community.
"We're actually trying to get a grant to assist with housing at the moment, so hopefully we can work that out," he said.
"It's hard enough getting a motel room here."
"We have people coming from Adelaide all the time and just trying to get a motel or somewhere for a stay, we have to book ahead."
"We've nearly had a cabin booked out with the shire all year to be honest with you, because they're terrific, tiny and great."
"The aim of hiring non-locals is to have them contribute and be a part of the Warracknabeal community."
"We want them to play sport on Saturday. We want to be able to go to the pub on Saturday night," Mr Somers said.
"That's what it's all about, it's about trying to get something going in the community."
QA Hay also has staff members in Adelaide, under the instruction of general manager Micha Mueller.
The large plant will require a substantial amount of electricity to power its operations, 24 hours a day, five days a week.
"Jayden Werner Electrical has put 28 x 150 millimetre conduits from the powerline, that they're (power cables) in," Mr Somers said.
"The amount of power that has to come in to run the plant and operations is just phenomenal."
"It would black out Warracknabeal if we fired up without a powerline upgrade which comes down the highway."
He said the existing powerline will be upgraded in February next year with the business set to receive their new transformer in December.
"The town's going to get more power capacity, which is good because we're lacking it," Mr Somers said.
"We will be able to run solely off the power line, but it won't be our main source of power."
It was originally proposed that the one main shed would house solar panels mounted on top, but Mr Somers said now three of the sheds will be fully equipped with solar panels and still reaching net zero emissions.
"The reason being a 56 metre shed with a clear span, to get the trusses strong enough to hold the weight of the solar arrays, was too expensive, just way too much," he said.
"So we'll put back into the grid when we can, and we'll take out when we can't."
At night, electricity will be sourced from the powerline.
"We've got enough capacity, we'll put probably half what we're generating back into the town during daytime, so it will balance us out around that net zero part," Mr Somers said.