Owner and general manager Neville Newton says he is serious about this statement, outlined in a wide-ranging submission lodged this week on Kattle Gear Australia's development application. The company is proposing to build a $9 million saleyard complex in Mazamet Rd, catering for 20,000 sheep and 2500 cattle.

"If this development is constructed in this location, Southern Meats will close its plant in Mazamet Rd and finalise the sale and break-up of all its assets in Goulburn, " the submission states.

"The approval of this activity at this location represents bad planning, a significant overdevelopment of the land and a significant threat to the economic prosperity of the community. It is not in the public interest for this activity to be approved in this location and it should be refused."

For the full story, please see Friday's Goulburn Post, available from our front office in Auburn St, or at all leading newsagencies across the Goulburn area.