Welcome to TFI Northern Heights
At Thomas Foods International, we are dedicated to engaging with our local communities and ensuring they are well-informed about the activities at our processing facilities. Whether it’s site operations, career opportunities, or community events, we strive to keep you updated.
As a local resident or interested party, we encourage you to bookmark this page and visit regularly to stay informed about the latest developments and happenings at our Bourke facility
August 2025: TFI To Undertake refurb of biofilter
Planning and Licensing Approvals (compliance action 1)
- Supply and install new media to a minimum bed thickness which will account for any media settlement post placement
- Removal of spent media and replacement with new proprietary formula media for improved odour destruction
- High pressure spray and cleaning of the concrete bays prior to reinstatement of crates/mesh/media
Supply and installation of replacement polypropylene crates in each cell
All biofilter refurbishment and commissioning works will be undertaken under the direct management and supervision of experienced odour management contractors and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the EPA approved Biofilter Management Plan (BMP) for the site. Works will be documented to confirm compliance with the BMP which will ensure the final refurbishment will provide the site biofilter with optimum odour destruction performance.
November 2025: TFI Community Update
Planning and Licensing Approvals (compliance action 1)
Planning advice has been sought by TFI through a third-party specialist planning consultancy who have assisted to confirm what site improvement items are required to seek planning approval prior to implementation and those that can commence without planning approvals.
A planning application has been prepared, lodged and approved by the Murray Bridge Council on 7 November 2025 to capture the following key work items:
- Cooker building door installation
- Blood building door installation
- Save-all building roof replacement
- Mechanical extraction roof fan installation
Formal planning approval to commence the main site upgrades is now approved and the main site upgrade works have commenced and will be delivered inline with the agreed EIP timelines.
Review & Restoration of the Biofilter Odour Control System (compliance action 2)
TFI have engaged a third-party specialist air quality engineering consultancy to undertake a detailed review of the biofilter system from a condition and performance assessment perspective
A biofilter equipment/inventory list was prepared which identified a number of opportunities for improved air quality capture and treatment within the existing biofiltration system
Works have been completed in line with the equipment/inventory list to return/restore any equipment/process opportunities back to full biofiltration service requirements. These works have been documented and will be captured in the final As Built reporting requirements issued to the EPA
Improved Building Containment – Main Cooker Processing Building (compliance action 3)
TFI have completed a competitive pricing process and engaged a contractor to commence improved building containment works in August 2025
To achieve improved building containment the following key work items will be undertaken:
- Seal all existing building openings
- Existing openings located in the side of the building will be sealed using galvanised purlins and powder coated sheet steel
- Existing openings in the roof of the building will be sealed using galvanised purlins and powder coated sheet steel
- Custom made galvanised flashing will be installed to completely seal the area between the roofing and existing brick wall
- Stainless steel flange channels will be installed to create a framework for installation of heavy-duty industrial roller door at the current side open air access area
- Expandable foam will be used to seal any smaller gaps
Several site air quality improvement works have occurred in September/October 2025 which were focused on improved building sealing and containmentFormal planning approval to commence the main cooker building site upgrades has been received and the main site upgrade works have commenced and will be delivered inline with the agreed EIP timelines.
Improved Building Containment – Blood Processing Building (compliance action 4)
TFI have completed a competitive pricing process and engaged a contractor to commence improved building containment works in August 2025
To achieve improved building containment the following key work items will be undertaken:
- Seal all existing building openings
- Existing openings located along the front of the building will be sealed using galvanised purlins and powder coated sheet steel
- Existing openings in the roof of the building will be sealed using galvanised purlins and powder coated sheet steel
- Custom made galvanised flashing to be installed to completely seal the area between the roofing and existing brick wall
- Stainless steel flange channels will be installed to create a framework for installation of a heavy-duty industrial roller door at the current front open air access area
- Expandable foam will be used to seal any smaller gaps
Several site air quality improvement works have occurred in September/October 2025 which were focused on improved building sealing and containment
Formal planning approval to commence the main blood processing site upgrades has been received and the main site upgrade works have commenced and will be delivered inline with the agreed EIP timelines
Improved Building Containment – Save-all Processing Building (compliance action 5)
TFI have completed a competitive pricing process and engaged a contractor to commence improved building containment works in August 2025
To achieve improved building containment the following key work items will be undertaken:
- Seal all existing building openings
- New purlins and beams will be installed to support complete roof replacement with powder coated roof sheeting
- New galvanised roof beams, stiffeners and purlin brackets will be installed along the roof structure
- Custom made galvanised flashing to be installed to completely seal the area between the roofing and existing brick wall
- Expandable foam will be used to seal any smaller gaps
Several site air quality improvement works have occurred in September/October 2025 which were focused on improved building sealing and containment
Formal planning approval to commence the save-all processing building site upgrades has been received and the main site upgrade works have commenced and will be delivered inline with the agreed EIP timelines
Installation of Mechanical Building Ventilation Fans (compliance action 6)
TFI have confirmed the recommended fan specification as directed by the third-party specialist air quality engineering consultancy engaged to provide technical advice
TFI have completed a competitive pricing process and engaged a contractor to assist with installation of the mechanical building ventilation fans once appropriate approvals are issued to commence
To support mechanical fan installation the following key work items have been undertaken:
- Desing airflow extraction rate confirmed by an independent air quality expert
- Centralised airflow strategy developed targeting odour accumulation of fugitive emissions within high odour areas
- Fresh air supply points designed to draw fresh air supply via engineered air openings
- Manufacture and install custom steel brackets to support and house the new mechanical extraction fans in the selected roof locations
- Install 4 mechanical building ventilation air extraction fans with vertical discharge configuration into the advised locations by the independent air quality specialist
Formal planning approval to commence installation of the ventilation fan upgrades has been received and the main site upgrade works have commenced and will be delivered inline with the agreed EIP timelines
Enclosing Open Wastewater Trenches and Steam Lines (compliance action 7)
TFI have completed a competitive pricing process and engaged a contractor to commence improved building containment works in August 2025
To achieve sealing the open wastewater trenches and steam lines the following key work items were completed in September 2025:
- Installation of stainless-steel end plates to seal the existing open air wastewater inlet trenches
- Connection of the stainless-steel tubes and fittings to enclose the wastewater transfer channels
- Installation of stainless-steel pipework consisting of nominal 200mm diameter pipe for wastewater transfer; and
- Installation of stainless steel braces suitable for installation of stainless steek checker plates over existing trenches to improve steam and odour capture
Process Optimisation of Odour Collection & Control System (compliance action 8)
TFI have engaged a third-party specialist air quality engineering consultancy to undertake a detailed review of the odour collection & control system
These works will commence following the successful completion and installation of all site upgrade works
Community Consultation EIP Updates (compliance action 9)
Public access to the EIP has been made available on the TFI website following formal EPA approval of the EIP
TFI will prepare targeted community progress updates which will be issued to all interested stakeholders:
- Website updates – all relevant information regarding EIP site improvements and upgrades will be updated at 3 monthly intervals
- Email communication – TFI will provide 2 monthly updates to all survey respondents and any other interested community stakeholders
Develop and Submit an Odour Management Plan (compliance action 10)
TFI have engaged a third-party specialist air quality engineering consultancy to prepare an odour management plan for the site
Works associated with development of an odour management plan have commenced and will occur in parallel with site improvement and upgrade works currently occurring onsite
Completion of the Odour Management Plan will occur within 4 weeks following the successful completion and installation of all site upgrade works
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