The Mount Gambier Saleyards have caught the attention of both sides of politics, with the agricultural facility looking set to share in funding, no matter who wins the March State Election.
The Grant District Council-owned facility has been the focus of a State Government meeting, along with pledges from SA Labor if it was to win government in March.
Council staff and members, along with stakeholders met with State Treasurer Rob Lucas in Adelaide last week, following a meeting organised by Liberal candidate for Mount Gambier Ben Hood.
Council chief executive Darryl Whicker said the meeting was held to discuss plans for a transformational project for the facility, designed to upgrade and futureproof the premises.
“It was an opportunity to pitch what the project would mean for the agricultural sector far and wide,” Mr Whicker said.
“It was a terrific meeting, very positive with genuine interest off the back of State Government support for the new ramps project which was opened by Minister Basham in late 2021.
“It allowed us to continue the conversations for continued support of our saleyards.”
Mr Whicker said the transformational project was “a once in a generation investment in the saleyards to bring it up to date with modern technology, roofing, softfall and pen configuration”.
“The new ramps were part of it, council has a masterplan which it hopes to deliver on in partnership with the state and federal governments,” he said.
Other components of the major upgrade include provision of 300mm soft fall flooring, replacement of concrete slabs on the buyers’ walkways, constructing a roof over the cattle yards and loading ramps, increasing the size of selling pens, installing solar panels, installing a new, modern rainwater harvesting and watering system and installing an audio-visual system to facilitate online sales.
Mr Whicker said council was in the final stages of submitting an application for the Building Better Regions Round 6.
“The treasurer already supported our last $850,000 through the Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program, which is currently held over for another application at Building Better Regions Fund Round 6,” he said.
“We hope to increase that partnership with a revised scope, the cornerstone of the scope is similar to round 5.
“We are looking forward to releasing details should we be successful.”
Mr Hood has been advocating for this project for a long time.
“It was a real honour to speak with the Treasurer about this vital issue and I will continue to fight every day to ensure that Mount Gambier matters,” he said.
State Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas announced last week that an elected Labor Government would invest $2.7m to upgrade the saleyards.
“The saleyards are the largest cattle livestock exchange facility in the Limestone Coast, and a significant contributor to the region’s agricultural economy,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“I have said many times 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 20-30% 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.”
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the saleyards were a major economic contributor for the region, and the pledged funding would “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.
