Cattle throughput at the Millicent saleyards continues to plumb record lows and well below the previous 2019 benchmark set by owner Wattle Range Council.
Chief executive Ben Gower told the August monthly council meeting the rolling annual sales figure at the end of July was 7093.
This is more than 1400 head below a one-time minimum target set by the council almost four years ago after it was in receipt of a damning consultants’ report about the financial viability of the Millicent saleyards.
According to Mr Gower, other saleyards across the South East region were also currently experiencing low cattle sales numbers.
Mr Gower said discussions with Millicent stock firms indicated that local store cattle sales would not be viable.
Councillor Dale Price had asked for a progress report on the $1.1m worth of upgrades and repairs at the Millicent saleyards.
In reply, Mr Gower said the work on the electrical systems was nearing completion and the requisite lighting would then be installed.
He said contracts for the work on the loading ramps over the next 12 months were in place and this arrangement was to the satisfaction of SafeWork SA.
Mr Gower said no upgrading work had yet been done on the canteen and administration complex.
Meanwhile, the new advisory committee was endorsed by the council at this meeting.
It comprises Mayor Des Noll (ex-officio), Cr Price and Dr Kevin McGrath (elected members), Scott Altschwager, John Chay, Anthony Driessen and Owen Merrett (stock agents), yarding contractor Neville Copping and Millicent Business Community Association chairman Lee Morgan.
Cr Price said he viewed his role on the committee to be a questioner.
There were no nominations received for representatives from the cattle production or trucking sectors.
The committee will have to be re-appointed after the new 2022-26 council is elected to office on November 11
The draft terms of reference were also endorsed.
An informal saleyards advisory committee has existed since 2019.
Council had a saleyards management board several years ago but it went into recess.
