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Our People

The Iona Project is driven by people with generations of experience across agriculture, agribusiness and regional development. Together, our directors, investors and advisers share a commitment to delivering long-term value for industry, regional Queensland and future generations.

Leadership built on experience

148 East was established by four generational cattle industry operators who recognised the opportunity to strengthen Queensland's beef industry through investment in regional processing infrastructure. Since establishing the company, the founding families have invested significant time, capital and expertise into developing the Iona Project.

Their combined experience spans cattle production, feedlot operations, agribusiness, food and fibre supply chains, engineering, bio-refining, project delivery, regional development, finance and governance. This practical experience continues to shape every stage of the project's planning, design and delivery.

The Board of Directors brings together practical agricultural experience with commercial leadership and long-term regional investment. Collectively, they provide the strategic direction and governance guiding the development of the Iona Project.

Board of Directors
Meet the people behind 148 East and the Iona Project, leading integrated agricultural infrastructure development in Central Queensland.

Martin Laffer

Managing Director | Gadawon Rural
Martin Laffer is a pastoralist with experience across agribusiness advisory, project management, manufacturing, mining, rural business operations and the financial services industry.
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Meet the people behind 148 East and the Iona Project, leading integrated agricultural infrastructure development in Central Queensland.

Dean Armstrong

Chairman and Director | Comet Downs Cattle Company
Dean Armstrong is a Central Queensland cattle producer with experience across quality grassfed beef production, grazing operations, farming and agricultural property development across Australia and Argentina.
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Meet the people behind 148 East and the Iona Project, leading integrated agricultural infrastructure development in Central Queensland.

Fred Appleton

Director | Appleton Cattle Company
Fred Appleton is Managing Director of Appleton Cattle Company, Belyando River Investments and Diamond FA Pty Ltd, with experience across organic beef production, large-scale cattle operations and agricultural property development spanning 13 properties and 120,000 head across Queensland.
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Meet the people behind 148 East and the Iona Project, leading integrated agricultural infrastructure development in Central Queensland.

Philip Reid

Director | Paringa Gold
Philip Reid is a significant feedlot operator along with experience in cattle supply, agrifood processing and agricultural property development, including management of a 6,000 head feedlot, 5,000 head backgrounding operation and 5,000 hectares of farming across five properties.
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Our investors

148 East has been established through the collaborative investment of leading agricultural industry participants who share a common vision, strong regional values and a long-term commitment to the success of the Iona Project. Our investors contribute more than capital. They bring industry knowledge, operational experience and strategic capability that strengthen the project's development and delivery.

By working together, expertise is shared, resources are combined, risks are managed collectively, supply chains are strengthened and new opportunities are created. This collaborative approach provides a strong foundation for building a resilient, integrated agribusiness that delivers lasting value for investors, industry and regional communities.

Our Partners and Advisors

BECA
CHRRUP
FTI Consulting
CHDC
AMPC
AAco
CHRC
Appleton Cattle co.
Paringa
Paringa
Paringa
Paringa
Paringa
Paringa
Paringa

Latest 148 East updates

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Milestones
6 May 2026

Iona Project enters formal development application process following prescribed project declaration

The Iona Project has entered the formal development application process, marking a major milestone as the project moves from planning and design towards construction and delivery.

Community
24 July 2025

What Iona means for Central, Western, and Northern Queensland

Beyond beef, the Iona Project is about regional jobs and economic diversification for a Central Highlands community that leans heavily on coal mining.

Project
21 July 2025

Technology-led design sets a new benchmark for beef processing

The Iona Project is being designed around automation, artificial intelligence and integrated sustainability systems to create a next-generation beef processing precinct.

Project
17 July 2025

Iona Project declared a prescribed project by the Queensland Government

The Queensland Government has declared the Iona beef processing project near Emerald a "prescribed project," fast-tracking approvals for a facility that could process up to 200,000 head of cattle a year.

Milestones
2 February 2023

Groundwater validation confirms a secure water supply for the Iona Project

Groundwater investigations confirmed a secure and sustainable water supply, providing a critical foundation for the long-term operation of the Iona Project.

Milestones
6 June 2022

Specialist design team appointed to shape the Iona Project

148 East appointed specialist advisors to begin the planning and design of the integrated Iona Project, translating the project's vision into a buildable development.

Milestones
2 February 2022

Site selection establishes the foundation for the Iona Project

148 East secured the Iona Downs site in February 2022 following a detailed assessment of location, infrastructure and long-term suitability for an integrated processing precinct.

Milestones
1 November 2021

148 East established by four Central Queensland cattle families

Four founding families formed 148 East to drive the abattoir investment, committing significant seed funding to get the project underway.

Milestones
1 November 2018

Community forum held to explore regional processing opportunity

A community forum hosted by the Central Highlands Regional Council brought local interest together, and a steering committee was formed to explore investment in a regional abattoir.