Builders to get cracking on egg farm

The company was given resource consent approval last year by the Rotorua Lakes Council to build the farm on a 50ha property. Photo / File

Construction work is about to begin on a free-range egg farm in Hamurana which is expected to house at least 25,000 hens.

Sancra Farms company director Stefan Craddock said earthworks were almost finished on the Kaharoa Rd site and construction work was expected to start soon.

Mr Craddock said the plan was to open towards the last quarter of the year.

"It's been a big project, it's certainly progressing well."

The company was given resource consent approval last year by the Rotorua Lakes Council to build the farm on a 50ha property. The farm is expected to create 20 jobs when it is at full production.

"All the earthworks are being done with a local contractor."

He said they expected a contractor for the construction to be appointed in the next couple of weeks. The first phase of development will see 25,000 hens housed.

The site was chosen because of its location as it was within 40 minutes of a large commercial feed mill in Mount Maunganui and allowed the company a central North Island location for distribution of its products.