Repairs and upgraded infrastructure costing more than $170,000 have been proposed for the Millicent saleyards.
The sum has been earmarked in the draft 2021/22 of Wattle Range Council which has been released for public comment following a special meeting on May 18. The most expensive item is the lighting upgrade which has a cost estimate of $88,000. The replacement of the timber rails has been estimated to be $50,000 while “various infrastructure repairs” have a budget line of $35,000.
The allocations follow a motion at the March monthly council meeting when a conditional commitment to continue to operate the saleyards was made along with an unspecified funding allocation for maintenance in the 2021/22 budget.
The draft budget allocation totalling $173,000 has been welcomed by independent stock agent John Chay. “The funds are much needed,” Mr Chay said. “A great deal of maintenance has not been done.”