Proposed upgrades at Mount Gambier and District Saleyards are still up in the air, with Member for Barker Tony Pasin calling for the Federal Labor Government to continue with Round 6 of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
Mr Pasin reiterated the importance of the grant program for projects such as the saleyards.
Mr Pasin met with Grant District Council chief executive Darryl Whicker, Saleyards manager David Wallis and agent Sam O’Connor and said he was disappointed Minister Catherine King had not clarified the future of Round 6.
“Projects like the Mount Gambier Saleyards are vitally important to the region,” Mr Pasin said.
“The benefits the planned upgrades would bring to the local livestock industry and the local economy are immense.
“The State Government seems to understand the importance because both the Labor and Liberal parties committed to the project before the State Election.
“There is currently no other federal grant program that fits the bill.
“The Building Better Regions Fund has delivered projects such as the Mount Gambier Airport redevelopment that quite simply would not have happened without BBRF funding because there is simply no other funding opportunity like it for the Regions.”
“Infrastructure Minister Catherine King’s silence on this matter is deafening.”
Mr Pasin said applications were submitted in February and outcomes expected back in August.
“The fact the Minister is yet to clarify if Round 6 is proceeding as planned is a very bad sign for projects like the Mount Gambier saleyards,” he said.
“The Minister was invited to learn more about this project and how important the fund was to its success, the fact that she has not even responded to a meeting request is really disappointing.”
