By Peter Gandolfi
THE District Council of Grant’s bid for federal funding for the redevelopment of the Mount Gambier saleyards has been boosted with the Labor Party pledging $2.7m, placing pressure on the State Liberal Government to match the commitment.
Today, the State Opposition announced that it would provide $2.7m towards a redevelopment of the saleyards if elected to government next month.
Last year, the Grant council was unsuccessful with its application to the Federal Government to secure funding for the redevelopment which is believed to worth about $11m.
The application, through the Building Better Regions Fund, requires a contribution from council and the State Government.
Grant council is expected to submit a further application to the Federal Government this month.
The State Liberal Government is yet to commit any funding.
Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas said: “…the Limestone Coast has huge potential in terms of growing its economic output.
“The major upgrade of the saleyards could provide an increase of an estimated 20 to 30 per cent of weekly fat market sales.
“Increased sales mean more opportunities for primary producers and local businesses.
“Add all that up, and it means more jobs.”
The saleyards are the largest cattle livestock exchange facility in the Limestone Coast, and a significant contributor to the region’s agricultural economy.
The District Council of Grant proposal for funding from all three tiers of government at the saleyards is for work that includes, 300mm soft fall flooring, the replacement of concrete slabs on the buyers’ walkways, constructing a roof over its cattle yards and loading ramps, increasing the size of selling pens, installing solar panels, a new, modern rainwater harvesting and watering system, and an audio-visual system to allow online sales.
Owned and operated by the District Council of Grant since it opened in 1977, the Mount Gambier and Districts Saleyards will also receive several other upgrades to improve accessibility and safety at the yards, and more efficient systems to safely increase the amount of cattle that can fit in the yard at any one time.
Over the financial years 2014/15 to 2019/20 the average value of livestock transactions through the facility was $118.6m per annum, while in 2019/20 transactions rose to nearly $123 million.
Labor said 70 per cent of beef production in Australia is exported, and this saleyard is supporting South Australia’s efforts to expand its meat production footprint.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the saleyards are a major economic contributor for the region, and this funding will ensure that footprint only grows.
“Local primary producers and businesses have had many challenges in recent years, an investment in them and their work is ultimately an investment in the future of our State,” she said.
