MORE than 200 signatures have been gathered so far on a petition in a bid to save the Millicent Saleyards from closure.
The supporters have endorsed copies of the petition, which has been available to be signed at several Millicent businesses in recent weeks.
There has been outcry since Wattle Range Council resolved in January to close the facility in June 2020 unless there was an improvement in its financial performance.
Among the petition organisers is Millicent stock agent John Chay who is a member of the unofficial Millicent Saleyards working group.
The informal committee of Wattle Range councillors, staff, contractors, stock agents and farmers was formed this year after a public meeting was called by the council.
According to Mr Chay, the closure would not make economic sense.
“Why would council close a facility which is of great economic benefit to Millicent?” Mr Chay said.
“Figures show the Millicent saleyards provides a direct and indirect benefit to Millicent of $1m per annum.
“For example, when farmers come to Millicent for the sale, they will probably do other business.
“It could be to buy a drum of drench or a bag of dog biscuits.
“A Thursday sale day was the busiest day when I was working in the 1990s in the merchandise department of the VPC stock firm in Millicent.”
Mr Chay said the Millicent Saleyards Working Group backed two measures which will improve the financial performance of the facility.
“We supported a rise in the yard fees to bring them into line with Mount Gambier and Naracoorte,” Mr Chay said.
“There was no opposition by farmers to this rise.
“The higher fees will increase the income by about $30,000 in this financial year and this is a big part of the deficit which was $100,000 last year.
“We are also planning to have store sales early in 2020.
“Our group feels the depreciation costs are a sticking point as this expense should not be included in the annual profit and loss statements.
“Council told the public meeting the saleyards would stay open if the cattle throughput numbers flat-lined and this has happened.”
Mr Chay said he was not aware of any opposition to the petition.
“People can phone me or speak to me face-to-face about the saleyard as we want to hear their views,” he said.
“They could contact other members of the Millicent Saleyards Working Group including Elders stock agent Scott Altschwager, contractor Bev Copping and Landmark stock agent Anthony Driessen.”
The petition will be lodged with the council this week in time for consideration at its November monthly meeting.
The Millicent Saleyards Working Group is also seeking permission for one of its members to address this November 12 forum.
The petitioners are asking council to revoke its current June 30, 2020 saleyards closure motion.
Council director of development services Steve Chapple said council was working closely with the Millicent Saleyards Working Group.
He pointed out the group members had a strong interest in the saleyards.
“At the request of council, I am currently preparing a report,” Mr Chapple said.
“The report will contain a number of recommendations and will be presented to the November 12 meeting”.
