GRANT District Council will consider a potential upgrade to the outdated security system at Glenburnie Saleyards amid revelations $70,000 worth of stock was trucked from the site without authorisation.
The local government body has announced it will now canvass an upgrade to the livestock exchange’s 15-year-old security system following The Border Watch exclusively revealing this week that 55 steers were allegedly stolen from the site in mid December.
Limestone Coast Police has confirmed Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) detectives are continuing investigations into the incident.
It is understood neither the saleyards staff nor the owners of the stock knew of the whereabouts of the missing animals for some hours.
The stock were later recovered at a regional town in Victoria.
At council’s meeting this week, Cr Barry Kuhl – who is a regional livestock producer – questioned security arrangements at the livestock exchange.
The elected member revealed he understood potential security vision of the alleged incident – taken on closed circuit television – had been “taped over”.
Council chief executive officer David Singe has reassured the community there was “no wrongdoing” by council saleyards staff.
In a statement issued to this newspaper, Mayor Richard Sage said elected members would now review and consider potential upgrades to the security system at the council’s next ordinary council meeting,
This follows a meeting this week between Mr Sage, Cr Kuhl, Mr Singe, saleyards business manager Peter Mitchell and Combined Agents Group chair David Creek.
The delegation agreed council should consider a review into the current security system and investigate potential upgrades to bring the technology up to standard.
Regarding the missing stock incident, Mr Sage praised the great work of all who were involved in retracing the stock.
“The missing stock were recovered within hours of them being reported as missing and this is due to the prompt response by the staff, agents and livestock transport operators,” Mr Sage said.
“Police are continuing to investigate the matter.”
Mr Sage conceded technology had evolved since the security system was installed and a security review was timely.
“The saleyards is a vital economic asset to the region and facilitates an enormous amount of livestock throughput annually,” the mayor said.
“Council has taken this matter very seriously and are committed to working with stakeholders at the saleyards to ensure the facility is delivering a strong service and infrastructure that meets the needs of all patrons.”
In response to council’s actions, Mr Creek – a veteran livestock agent – said he felt reassured that council had responded quickly to the agents’ concerns.
“The way forward a clear partnership between council and the agents, both working towards a common goal,” Mr Creek said.
“I am buoyed by the meeting at council this week and both parties coming together quickly to resolve this issue.”
Council has also moved to overhaul the its saleyards management committee.
The committee will be remodelled into a strategy body in a bid to drive the growth of the livestock exchange.
Council will appoint people to the committee who have specific skills and experience to drive this facility.
A similar strategic committee will also be formed for the Mount Gambier Regional Airport.
Council has yet to announce the membership of these committees.
