Saleyards move falls flat

COLAC’S upgraded saleyards were presented as the best alternative for farmers dealt a blow by the closure of Geelong’s long-term livestock exchange last August.

But one year on from the final sheep and cattle sales at Geelong saleyards, figures show that Colac has not filled the void in the local industry.

Colac Otway Shire had been bullish about the potential to attract new traders, and were preparing for a busier complex.

“We’re now committed to working with new customers to assist their transition and at the same time realise our opportunities for expansion,” thenmayor Chris Potter said last August.

However the expected rush was more of a trickle.

A recommended fortnightly sheep sale on Mondays lasted just over two months, before it was downgraded to monthly in November 2017.

The council this week said the complex had seen only a “slight increase” in sheep trade, with 600 sold in the past 12 months.

While the complex has a total of 80 sheep selling pens, it is averaging just 50 sales per month.

“Colac’s saleyards received good support from farmers on the Surf Coast but less from the Geelong region,” development and community services general manager Gareth Smith said.

The facility’s overall numbers suffered a minor decline in 2017-18, with a weakening of the cattle trade felt generally across Western Victoria.

However the stabilisation masks that Colac’s yards have seen a 38 per cent downturn over the past two years.

Geelong’s saleyards had seen similar double-digit losses in its last years.

In its last full year of sales in 2015, the North Geelong exchange traded more than 45,000 sheep.

That had fallen annually since 2010, when 86,101 were sold.

There were more than 10,000 cattle sold in 2014 and 2015.

An independent report, commissioned by Geelong and Colac Otway Shire councils, had suggested livestock sales should transfer to Colac after Geelong’s operations were wound up.

The City of Greater Geelong is now examining the potential to set up a smaller-scale livestock exchange.

The council set up an advisory committee in April, which is being chaired by Cr Jim Mason, to look at the options.

“I’m hoping a lot of the controversy associated with closing the saleyards precinct can be addressed by what is being looked at by the committee,” Cr Anthony Aitken said.

The Geelong council this week confirmed housing, small retail outlets, open space and heritage elements would be pursued on the saleyards land.