Greenham Australia has reached full operational capacity at its expanded Tongala abattoir, after receiving funding through the Victorian government’s Regional Jobs Fund in 2021. The investment has created 270 new jobs and led to the company landing contracts with Woolworths and McDonalds.
The family-owned beef company started out in an early 1800s butcher shop in Melbourne, and now exports beef to 25 domestic and international markets, and employs over 1000 people. Driven by companies like Greenham, Victoria’s beef export market is worth more than $2.5 billion per year.
Initially announced in May 2021, the government statement at the time said the funding would enable Greenham to undertake a $50 million redevelopment of its Tongala operation and create up to 230 new jobs, although the amount of funding was undisclosed.
Production restarted at the facility in July 2023, after installing new technology, a solar-power system, and water recycling capabilities. The facility was expected to reach a capacity of 700 cattle per day by Christmas of that year, and building to its full capacity of 1050 cattle per day by May 2024.
It seems further expansion or streamlining has taken place since this statement, with the October 2025 announcement stating the now fully operational facility has created 270 new jobs and nearly doubled production, to more than 1300 cattle each day.
Greenham managing director, Peter Greenham, said the expansion means more jobs for the community and a stronger future for the region.
“With the support of the Victorian government, we’ve been able to modernise our operations and continue producing high-quality beef for customers here in Australia and around the world,” said Greenham.
Powered by a daily onsite workforce of 500 staff, the company stated the Tongala abattoir expansion has helped the company enter new international markets and secure contracts with large global retailers, including McDonalds, which Greenham said was a difficult contract to land.
The company also invested $5 million to expand a caravan park in town and leased 20 houses in the area to support its workers.
