Macksville saleyards stakeholders believe the establishment of an advisory committee could assure the facility’s future.
The Macksville Saleyard Advisory Committee was
established earlier this month by a group of users and government bodies.
Saleyards user Joy Sheather said the committee complied with The Australian Saleyard Code of Practice guidelines.
“The purpose of this committee is to ensure the saleyards are managed and operated in a way that is
acceptable to the general public and in a manner that safeguards human safety, food safety and animal
welfare,” Mrs Sheather said.
The committee has producers/vendors, buyers, livestock carriers, veterinarian, OH&S, meat processors, and workers’ representation, a technical advisor, industrial chemist and an accountant.
“If there is an OH&S problem we have a representative on our committee, if we have a vet problem we have a vet on the committee,” she said.
“We have a high class of qualified people on our committee.”
Mrs Sheather said Nambucca Shire Council had been invited to appoint a staff member to the committee.
“We are yet to receive a response.”
She said the ultimate aim of the committee was to keep the saleyards open for the community.
“A lot of people use these saleyards.
“We have team penners and it is used as council’s large animal pound... and there is the fortnightly
cattle sale.”
“There are so many people in the community who do not want to see the yards close.”
Mrs Sheather believed the problems being encountered by the saleyards could be fixed.
A suggestion had been put forward that a portion of the environment levy could be used to address the
saleyard’s effluent problem.
“Initially, council did not have the finances to meet the standards required by Saleyards Operators Australia.”
“Council has to apply to IPART for a continuance of the environment levy.”
She said council indicated it would apply for the continuance before Christmas.
“I see no need for the saleyards to close I am sure the things that need to be dealt with can be.”
Further demonstrating the committee’s commitment to the future of the saleyards, the next generation of workers have obtained the Saleyard Safety Induction Certification.
The training course is approved by the NSW Saleyard Operators’ Association.
Also, a traffic management plan had been implemented for the safe movement of all vehicles, including trucks and pedestrians.
Council has been asked to provide basic signage to ensure all saleyard and showground users are aware of vehicle movement requirements.
Mrs Sheather is not alone in her belief that the closure of the complex would signal the death of many Valley cattle producers.
If producers have to cart their cattle to other areas it would make their businesses unviable, saleyards
manager/operator Tom Stanton said.
He believed transport costs alone would be enough to
dramatically affect cattle producers.
The council owned saleyards puts though an average 10,000 head of cattle annually.
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