Anew milestone has been reached in the proposed upgrading of the Mount Gambier Saleyards, with the Grant District Council’s application progressing through to Stage 2 of the Growing Regions Program.


The council has been notified of a successful expression of interest for the Mount Gambier Districts Livestock Exchange 2030 Transformation project.


In August 2023, Grant District Council submitted an expression of interest to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts to assess the Transformation Project’s eligibility prior to progressing to Stage 2.


Chief Executive Officer Darryl Whicker said the announcement is a positive outcome for Council.


“Advancement to the next stage of the Growing Regions Program is a significant milestone towards attracting Federal funding to complement commitments by the State Government and Council,” Mr Whicker said.


“While we take the time to celebrate this achievement, we acknowledge the work put into this project over a number of years.


“I would like to thank staff and stakeholders for their efforts to date and recognise more work now begins to lodge a complete application.”


Mount Gambier & District Saleyards Strategy Committee Presiding Member and Councillor Barry Kuhl also said it is pleasing to be able to progress the Transformation Project.


“This is very welcome news and represents an excellent opportunity for the revitalisation of the Saleyards which has a long history of supporting agriculture in our region and throughout Australia,” Cr Kuhl said.


“We understand getting to this position has been a team effort with advocacy from Federal, State and Local levels including the Saleyards Combined Agents, alongside our community.


“We look forward to continue working with key stakeholders to strongly position our Stage 2 application.”


South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the Malinauskas Government remained committed to the project and would deliver $2.7m subject to the Council’s successful application for Commonwealth funding.


“We know that this facility is important to our local industries, and a major upgrade would unlock economic benefits,” Minister Scriven said.


“Transforming the site would boost market sales and provide a platform for producers to expand and grow.”


This project remains reliant on appropriate funding at the Federal, State and Local levels of Government and Council will work to strongly position the 


project.