Major upgrade well underway at SA livestock saleyards
A multimillion-dollar upgrade is transforming the state’s largest livestock saleyards in the state’s South-East.
A major refurbishment is underway at the Limestone Coast’s largest livestock exchange facility, with the aim of improving animal welfare and operational efficiency.
The $10.2 million upgrade of the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards has so far delivered new cattleyard roofing, reconfiguration and flooring upgrades for about 70 pens.
Upgrades to another 70 pens are starting this month under the Mount Gambier and District Saleyard Transformation Project paid for by the Southern Limestone Coast Council with a $2.7 million contribution from the state government.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said the project would “reinforce the Southern Limestone Coast’s status as a key region for agricultural growth and excellence”.
“Supporting the development and growth management of our farming businesses and our regions is a key objective for this government, and the Saleyards Transformation Project will do exactly that,” she said.
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Southern Limestone Coast Councillor Barry Kuhl said that the project reflects council’s “significant investment” in the ongoing sustainability of the saleyards and its commitment to strengthening the regional economy.
“The project is progressing on schedule with weekly prime cattle and sheep sales operating as usual, and now fortnightly store sales as the project construction phase progresses, providing stability and continuity to the producers, agents, transporters and businesses that rely on the saleyards, both across our community and statewide,” Kuhl said.
Work on the upgrades started in July and was expected to provide for an estimated 20 to 30 per cent increase in weekly fat market sales.
The Mount Gambier and District Saleyards is the largest cattle livestock exchange facility on the Limestone Coast and generates an estimated $150 million for the region each year.
According to the Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association, the Limestone Coast has more than 54 per cent of SA’s cattle, with the highest concentration of cattle per square kilometre in Australia.
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