The State Government has reaffirmed its multi-million dollar commitment for the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards Transformation Project.
The $2.7m commitment comes in the wake of the Commonwealth Government scrapping Round 6 of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
The commitment has been welcomed by the Grant District Council, who had applied for Round 6 of the BBRF.
In Opposition, Labor committed $2.7m towards the project, subject to council’s successful application to the previous Commonwealth Government’s BBRF Round 6.
The Commonwealth Government recently announced the BBRF would be discontinued, however applicants from Round 6 will be able to apply for the new Growing Regions Program, a $1b fund that has replaced the BBRF.
The current South Australian funding commitment is maintained subject to Grant District Council securing Commonwealth funding.
The saleyards are the largest cattle livestock exchange facility in the Limestone Coast and are a significant contributor to the agricultural economy of the region.
The major redevelopment could provide an estimated 20 to 30% increase of weekly fat market sales, which will provide a platform for expansion and growth opportunities for primary producers and local businesses.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said she was hopeful with the Commonwealth Government’s support the project could be realised to deliver full benefit to the region’s primary producers, the local community and the state more broadly.
“Labor has quarantined the $2.7m for this project and is committed to supporting the project to go ahead,” Minister Scriven said.
“Our State Government is committed to ensuring the development and growth management of our farming businesses and our regions, and we know how important this funding and project is to our local industries.
“The saleyards are a major economic contributor for the South East, and this funding will ensure that footprint only grows.”
Grant District Council chief executive Darryl Whicker said council was grateful to Minister Scriven and the State Government for their continued advocacy towards the Saleyards Transformation Project.
“The continued State Government support of the project and the announcement of continued funding is welcome and a good sign for the future of the saleyards,” Mr Whicker said.
“We welcome the reaffirmed commitment to support this once in a generation project which we know will be a key contributor to growth in the region.
“It will bring it up to a state-of-the-art retrofit for future generations to continue to enjoy.”
Mr Whicker said the council had worked tirelessly with stakeholder advocates and government to ensure they were best-placed for their approach to funding.
“While council’s Building Better Regions Fund application was ultimately not merit assessed we now continue to move forward with a degree of momentum that will hold us in good stead for future funding opportunities,” he said.
“A modest investment from the three tiers of government will ensure the sustainability of the auction system which sets the price for primary producers to ensure they get the best possible deal and, in turn, benefits for all people and everybody in the supply chain.
“It is a once in a generation project to support livestock exchange that essentially put, last year alone, $150m into the state and federal economy.”
Mr Whicker said guiding the new council through the strategic importance of the saleyards would be a priority.
Combined Agents Mount Gambier chairman Ben Jones said he remained optimistic about the future position of the saleyards funding.
“I am confident that we will receive funding via whatever conduit that we and the region so desperately need to transform our selling centre into the facility required to secure a guaranteed future for all involved,” Mr Jones said.
