Council funds effluent facility

UPGRADE: Mount Gambier and District Saleyards manager David Wallis has welcomed a new effluent project at the livestock selling facility.

GRANT District Council will reallocate $60,000 from its Airport Museum project towards an effluent and drainage facility for trucks at the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards.

Elected members approved to the construction of the $110,000 double pit facility at Monday night’s council meeting.

Saleyards manager David Wallis said the pit would provide an opportunity for transporters to dispose of livestock waste at the saleyards.

“We see it as a value-adding thing,“ he said.

“They need this type of facility to assist getting rid of that effluent in a proper and fit manner.

“We did have it in our masterplan as a possibility, but it has come at a rapid pace and to get this over the line, we need additional funding.“

Councillors supported the reallocation of the funds after council staff said funding for the museum project was still possible through other streams.

The project will be co-funded by the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association and aims to mitigate safety issues and disruption to road users from animal effluent discharge.