Cattle markets at the Millicent Saleyards could be in jeopardy as Wattle Range Council has ordered a temporary halt in mandated repairs costing up to $1m.
The Environment Protection Authority and Safework SA issued notices to the council in 2021 to undertake the works or face closure.
Repairs by contractors have commenced but the January monthly council meeting last week ordered them to cease for at least two months.
The council voted nine votes to two to suspend the work to enable the incoming Section 41 saleyards advisory committee to review the current state of affairs in regard to cost and stock numbers and report to the March monthly council meeting.
Ahead of this vote, council chief executive Ben Gower had warned of the consequences of a suspension of the repairs as a June deadline was looming.
Mr Gower said the EPA and Safework SA had granted “a lot of leeway” to Wattle Range Council.
“It will not be looked on favourably by the regulators,” he said.
Debate on the saleyards repairs had followed a question-on-notice from Councillor Dale Price about the cattle throughput during the 2022 calendar year.
The figure provided by council staff was 5223 and this is lowest since the saleyards opened 48 years ago.
Mr Gower explained the Section 41 saleyards advisory committee had yet to meet as no nominations had been received from the droving sector, Millicent Business Community Association, transport sector and one of the four stock firms.
Cr Price has been an outspoken critic of the ongoing financial losses at the Millicent Saleyards since his election to council in 2010 and moved the successful motion.
He pointed out that large numbers of cattle were now being sold via online auctions and at other selling centres across the Limestone Coast.
“Clearly, our cattle producers are doing other things with their stock,” Cr Price said.
“The Millicent Saleyards are unviable and the vast majority do not use them,” Cr Price said.
“It is time to close them, we are throwing good money after bad and enough is enough.
“Those with the most to gain will not nominate for the Section 41 advisory committee.
“We are responsible to 11,000 residents in Wattle Range Council and not just 100 farmers.
“There have been big numbers of cattle at sales at Naracoorte and Mount Gambier recently and producers from Wattle Range Council have been at those sales.”
Cr Emma Castine estimated the Millicent Saleyards needed a four-fold increase in cattle throughput.
Cr Moira Neagle said her discussions with a local stock agent had revealed why numbers were low.
She said the agent had told her that cattle producers were currently holding on to their stock as there was an abundance of feed and prices were down.
Cr Dennis Muhovics queried whether it was the expectation the Section 41 advisory committee would decide the fate of the saleyards.
In reply, Mr Gower said it was the role of the Section 41 committee to provide advice.
Cr Deb Agnew said she felt council was overstepping the mark as the Section 41 committee had yet to be formed.
“It is a very emotive issue,” Cr Agnew said.
Cr Neagle sought to have the motion from Cr Price “lay on the table” and not be enacted at this time but her counter motion was lost five votes to six.
News of the decision to suspend repairs was a talking point at the Millicent cattle market the following day.
Furner grazier Steve Bellinger has been selling and buying cattle at Millicent since 1979 and said the day’s prices were better than other markets.
“I am disappointed with the council decision as you want to see the yards upgraded,” Mr Bellinger said.
“This negative talk drives people away.”
His views were shared by Nutrien’s Jim Noonan who has been a stock agent at Millicent since 1976.
“We try and promote the Millicent Saleyards but we are battling against the tide,” Mr Noonan said.
“The large producers are not supporting them.
“The maintenance of the yards was neglected 20 years ago by Wattle Range Council.
“Some of the agents should live up to their commitments to keep the yards going.”
