Independent consultants are currently auditing the infrastructure at the Millicent Saleyards and their report will be tabled at the next monthly meeting of Wattle Range Council.
The council-owned facility is slated for closure on June 30 of next year unless its financial performance improves.
It was originally due to shut midway through this year but was given a 12-month lifeline.
Built by the then Millicent District Council in 1976, a consultants’ report presented to council 2.5 years ago painted a bleak out-look and ongoing losses.
The cause of the Millicent Saleyards has been championed on council by local educator and grazier Moira Neagle ever since her election as a Corcoran Ward representative in 2018.
Cr Neagle told the December monthly council meeting that she was disappointed that a staff report on the saleyards had not been presented to the forum.
In reply, development services director Steve Chapple said a full report was being prepared by external consultants.
Mr Chapple said an incident had occurred at the saleyards last month which could add costs to its operations.
Cr Neagle then asked for an update on the activities of the saleyards working party which was established two years ago and has council staff, councillors, graziers, agents and yarding contractors on it.
In reply, Mr Chapple said the working party had met on one occasion in 2020. He said this meeting had occurred in the past month and had been chaired by another council staff member.
In response, Cr Neagle asked why she and fellow working party members, councillors and graziers Deb Agnew and Dr Kevin McGrath had not been invited to attend.
Mr Chapple said he did not know why the three councillors were not invited, “I will have to take that question on notice,” Mr Chapple said.
Meanwhile, there was strong support for the Millicent Saleyards to continue when the last sale for 2020 was held on Thursday.
Veteran Nutrien agent Jim Noonan has operated there for the past 44 years and has called on council to back it. “I am disappointed with the attitude towards the saleyards from some of the elected council members who come from outside the Millicent area,” Mr Noonan said.
“The saleyards provide a good ervice and the prices achieved are competitive as there is better quality cattle.” Yarding contractor Neville Copping heads an eight-strong team which gathers every fortnight.
“There have been improved numbers of cattle coming through this year and we have not had to cancel any sales,” Mr Copping said, “There are excellent prices achieved at Millicent and often 20 to 30 cents per kilogram dearer than other places. “It is due to the quality of the cattle.”
Now aged in his 80s, Rendelsham grazier Garth Huppatz might only have a small herd nowadays but remains firmly committed to the Millicent Saleyards. “Wattle Range Council should keep them open,” Mr Huppatz said.
There were a number of portable generator-powered floodlights parked around the saleyards and council chief executive Ben Gower has provided an explanation to The SE Voice.
“A fault has been identified with the lighting system at the Millicent Saleyards and the temporary lighting has been brought in to aid loading/unloading until the problem can be rectified,” Mr Gower said.
