THE approval of a $14 million livestock selling yard at Yass isn’t a death knell for Goulburn’s saleyards, the facility’s owner Bill Vowles has long said.
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Agents, farmers and carriers, however, disagree.
The Southern NSW Joint Regional Planning Panel last week gave developers approval to commence construction on the multi-million dollar project, a few kilometres outside of Yass.
Its proponents hope the 14- hectare centre will be up-and-running by late 2016.
The state-of-the-art facilities – which include hundreds of holding pens capable of selling around 1.3 million sheep per annum, video auction technology and truck washing services – are expected to draw sellers’ attention away from the Goulburn saleyards.
Moreover, its design has the backing of agents and farmers in the Goulburn region, some of whom concede the Finlay Rd saleyards will be collateral damage.
Mr Vowles, however, has time and again denied approval of the regional livestock exchange would spell the end for Goulburn’s saleyards.
“The business case for Yass is based on Goulburn closing and that won’t happen, so I don’t know where it will go,” Mr Vowles said earlier this year.
“With Goulburn and Wagga saleyards flanking it, I can’t see the business case.”
Naturally, the selling centre’s developers disagree.
Former principal at Landmark’s Yass office, Col Medway, has been a driving force behind the proposal since its conception in 2010.
He believes the livestock exchange will be open for business in two years – at the same time dismissing Mr Vowles’ suggestions the project isn’t viable.
“Before the approval we had a lot of investors interested but it’s like talking without clarity,” Mr Medway told the Yass Tribune.
“The investors support was hollow, but now that it has been approved we can move forward.
“We need $14 million to see the project through. Prior to the consent it was very positive.”
Mr Abbey said the consortium could now proceed with construction which he hoped would begin next year, and be completed by 2016.
Livestock carrier Richard Carter is torn.
On one hand, he welcomes the development approval. On the other, he fears for the demise of the Goulburn saleyards.
“Everybody wanted a regional selling centre, but we were keen to have it in Goulburn,” Mr Carter said yesterday.
“There is grave disappointment the Goulburn option fell over. It (Yass livestock exchange) will change the dynamics of selling.
“From a carrier’s perspective, we’ll always support a selling centre because it’s more efficient.”
The now approved livestock exchange – modelled on a facility at Carcoar and destined for construction on the property of Yass Valley mayor Rowena Abbey and her husband, businessman Brendan – has the support of Goulburnbased sellers.
Elders livestock manager, Steve Ridley, said Goulburn producers would support the centre – despite the 90km obstacle posed by its location.
“Everybody is very positive,” he explained.
“Obviously people don’t want to leave Goulburn, but with a facility like that nearby, it’s a simple choice.”
The centre’s proximity to Crookwell and Queanbeyan, coupled with its pulling power, leave it destined to succeed.
“They’ll attract bigger numbers and therefore, more buyers out there,” Mr Ridley continued.
“There’s a heap of benefits. Plus for people at Crookwell, it’s not much further; for people at Queanbeyan, it’s no further away than Goulburn.”