The higher charge to use the truck wash at the Millicent Saleyards has been opposed by the advisory sub-committee of Wattle Range Council.

The facility currently operates at a $70,000 loss per annum.

A staff report presented to the July monthly council meeting including a comparison of fees charged at other truck washes across the region.

The report recommended the Millicent fee rise from $1-per-minute to $1.50-per-minute and this was endorsed by the meeting.

The motion was moved by Councillor Sharon Cox and seconded by Cr David Walshaw and the truck wash fee formed part of the 2023/24 council budget.

However, at a subsequent meeting of the Millicent Saleyards Advisory Committee, it was successfully moved that a recommendation go to Wattle Range Council to reduce the truck wash fee from $1.50-per-minute back to $1-per-minute to be on par with the Naracoorte truck wash fee.

In the meantime, council chief executive Ben Gower advised the Millicent truck wash will continue to operate as usual, and the upgrades will be scheduled to recommence.