FAQ's

When will construction start?

Construction will begin in early 2026. The first stage is establishing the Precinct site and delivering a new and safer access to the Cunningham Highway. It will also see all internal roads and other essential services to each lot such as water and sewage reticulation being constructed.

How many lots in the Precinct?

The Industry Precinct will feature 16 freehold rural industrial lots ranging in size from 0.6ha to 6.2ha hectares on a 40ha site on the Cunningham Highway near Kalbar.

It is ideally positioned to support retail value-adding businesses like food, beverage and agricultural manufacturers and is open to all primary and secondary rural industries that support the Scenic Rim’s ag sector.

Kalfresh will expand its operations on at least two new lots to establish a purpose-built factory for the value-adding of vegetables and processing of certified organic produce, plus the establishment of a new industry-leading Onion Drying, Processing and Packing Factory.

What is allowed to happen in the Precinct?

The Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct will accommodate specialised industrial uses with an agricultural focus

Businesses which want to establish in the Precinct will have their development applications assessed by the Scenic Rim Regional Council under the new SRAIP Development Plan, which will simplify and streamline the approvals process.

The SRAIP Development Plan establishes a regionally significant specailised agri-focused precinct for food, beverage and fibre manufacturing, incorporating:

  • The processing or value-adding of agricultural or farm products (including fibre) to produce food (human and animal), beverages and other products
  • Agriculture-related research, innovation and technologies to support the farming and agriculture industry
  • Intensive horticulture
  • Industries or activities necessary to support the Precinct such as warehousing and distribution services
  • A circular economy through the reuse of waste and decarbonisation in industrial processes, production of biofertiliser and waste composting, and renewable energy production by anaerobic digestion and anaerobic composting
What kind of businesses will be in the Precinct?

The Precinct will be a place for businesses which value-add the raw ingredients that are grown nearby, as well as service businesses from within the supply chain which support agriculture, such as, but not limited to:

  • Salad and meal kit producers
  • Fresh & frozen vegetable processing and packing
  • Cold storage of frozen food and drink products and ingredients
  • Dairy processing
  • Juice and sauce production
  • Canning, fermenting and bottling
  • Ingredient drying and powders
  • Fibre processing and manufacturing
  • Seed breeding and supply
  • Food technology services and advice
  • Packaging, warehousing and distribution
  • Agricultural research, technology and innovation
  • Agricultural branding, marketing and promotion services
What is bioenergy?
Bioenergy is produced from the natural decomposition of organic materials which happens via anaerobic digestion. The organic materials are derived from the by-products and residues from plants and animals. These by-products are collectively known as biomass and can be converted into bioenergy to provide power and fuel.
How does Anaerobic Digestion (AD) work?
Agricultural residues and biomass are placed in sealed digestion tanks and in the absence of oxygen are broken down with the help of bacteria, to release biogas, a renewable alternative to natural gas and when purified (biomethane) has multiple applications including heat and power supply for homes and industry, and renewable fuel production for the transport sector.
Will there be an odour from the bioenergy system?

No, the odour will be minimal. It’s a fully sealed industrial system that is modelled on facilities that have been successfully operating in Europe, the UK, Canada and the United States for decades.

The site will operate under an Environmental Authority (EA) issued by the Queensland Government with strict conditions for odour management and monitoring.
What kind of gas will you produce?
The system creates a biomethane gas which can be used to run engines to generate electricity, or it can be cleaned and used as renewable natural gas fuel for trucks and buses.
The gas has the same chemical composition as fossil gas but is made from organic matter.
That means it’s compatible with existing gas pipelines and engines and can fuel CNG engines in trucks, buses and industry without any retrofit.
What happens to the feedstock residues after digestion?
They become digestate, a powerful biofertiliser. We’ll replace synthetic fertiliser with digestate to reduce costs and improve soil health. We worked closely with the Queensland Department of Environment to develop an End of Waste Code which outlines how the digestate can be applied to soil.
How will traffic access the precinct?
The Ag Precinct development will feature a new Cunningham Highway access, which will provide a safe, upgraded intersection with turning and acceleration lanes.
This new intersection has been designed to manage projected truck movements to and from the precinct site over the life of the development.
The existing Kalfresh highway accesses will be closed when the new access is finished in 2027.
What will happen to the existing Kalfresh business and factories?

Kalfresh will continue business as usual on the current site. These factories will become part of the new precinct and will be accessed from the internal precinct road network.

The existing factories will be continue operating throughout the development and the Kalfresh business will expand to new sites within the precinct.

How do I find out about what’s happening in the Ag Precinct?

We will maintain regular information updates about the Precinct progress and opportunities on our website. You can also sign up for email updates and follow our socials for information – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.

How do I register interest in the design and construction phase of the project?

If you’re interested in tendering for work on the Precinct construction please email info@agprecinct.com.au    

I’m interested in buying or leasing a site in the Ag Precinct, how do I find out more?

If you’re interested in buying or leasing a site in the Ag Precinct please contact us.