An online petition calling on the Federal Government to support the Mount Gambier and Districts Saleyards transformation project has been officially launched.


The petition, created by Member for Barker Tony Pasin, was first announced in The SE Voice on June 6.


On Friday Mr Pasin met with Grant District Mayor Kylie Boston, Mount Gambier Combined Agents chair Brad Holdman, Mount Gambier and Districts Saleyard Committee presiding member Barry Kuhl and local MLC Ben Hood to officially kick off the petition.


They gathered at the saleyards to launch the online petition, several weeks after the council learned it had not been successful in its application for federal funding for the project.


“The Albanese Labor Government has rejected a grant application made by Grant District Council for $7m to fund upgrades at the Mount Gambier and Districts saleyards,” the petition reads.


“This is despite Round 1 of the Growing Regions funding program being underspent by $93.4m.


“The rejection of funding for this project is a huge economic opportunity lost to the Limestone Coast.


“With drought gripping and interest rates hurting, now more than ever our farmers and our regions need support.


“As a community, we need to stand with our farmers and show support for the Mount Gambier and Districts Saleyards transformation project.”


Mr Pasin said it was imperative the Federal Government commit to the necessary funding to “support our farmers and save our saleyards”.


“Catherine King seems to be the only one not in support of this project,” he said.


“The department deemed it suitable.


“Local Government have pledged almost $5m.


“The project even has bi-partisan support at a state level to the tune of $2.7m.


“The Federal Government is the only one holding up this project, which is symbolic of the Albanese Labor Government’s contempt for agriculture and regional Australia.”