By Jenel Hunt
After years of controversy and little being done to address the limitations of the site, the Warwick Saleyards have been approved for a $7 million redevelopment at a closed session of the Southern Downs Regional Council.
The council voted for the $7.066 million project during a special meeting on 6 November.
The subject of the saleyards has been rife with difficulties and disagreements for some years. It has seen the mass resignation of members of the Warwick Saleyards advisory committee.
Many people have pushed for a completely new development at a different site but the suggested parcel of land attracted controversy. It has also been questioned on the most basic level – whether or not the saleyards should remain under council ownership.
Mayor Vic Pennisi said the original scope of the project had been too large for the available funds so the council had to downgrade its original wishlist for the redevelopment, which is being co-funded by the Australian Government under its Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program, with $4.5 million awarded in February 2022.
Cr Pennisi’s said the main message was that the redeveloped site would be safer for both animals and humans.
“The Warwick Saleyards is a major economic pillar in the identity of the Southern Downs and the facility has been connecting our rural community with stock and station agents for more than 60 years,” he said.
“The livestock industry has evolved since the saleyards started operating and there is no question that development is needed to ensure the region has quality facilities which meet current animal welfare standards and industry trends.”
Cr Stephen Tancred, who spoke in support of the recommendation to award the contract to ICM Pty Ltd, said the council was ‘turning the corner for home’ on the project.
“For many around the table, we are delivering on a commitment made to the agricultural industry and community at the election three-and-a-half years ago,” he said.
“I’d be the first to admit that although we’ve been talking about this for many years, our primary producers haven’t seen any building action at the saleyards except for some work on the truck wash area.
“But the council has actually come a long way to get this agenda item in front of us. “
He said decisions had included whether to develop a new site or redevelop the existing site, finding a funding source to help pay for the project, concept design and construction tenders.
“The council doesn’t make any money from the saleyards, but we see it as an asset that facilitates enormous economic benefits to the region. It turns over between $50 million and $100 million a year in sales which has flow-on benefits to our whole economy,” Cr Tancred said.
He said some of the important objectives being addressed were animal welfare, worker safety, environmental outcomes and traffic management.
“I’m sure we got the highest priorities right and could keep the most important ones in the project and – most importantly – the budget.”
Cr Tancred was on the council’s review panel along with Cr Pennisi and deputy mayor Ross Bartley to assess and refine the detailed designs with key council staff.
Cr Pennisi said despite some producers selling from paddock straight to feedlot in more recent times, the Warwick Saleyards set the market and was a critical piece of infrastructure for smaller producers.
He said it was not yet known how the construction project would affect the ability of sales to be held at the site during the work.
“We’ve awarded the tender, we have some dates that need to be complied with and we hope to turn the sod soon,” he said.
The project is expected to be handled in two stages, with the first stage finished by March next year (which is when the Australian Government’s grant offer runs out).
Cr Pennisi said parts of the original design that had to be put on the back burner included carpark and fixed roofing.
”Maybe there will be some other money that comes available in the not-too-distant future.
The session was closed to the public citing negotiations relating to a commercial matter for which a public discussion would be likely to prejudice the interests of the local government.
Cr Cynthia McDonald was an apology for the meeting and leave of absence was granted.
