Call for study on saleyards
Search for replacement service
RURAL advocates have called for a wide-ranging study to come up with a replacement service for the former Geelong saleyards.
A small-scale livestock and information exchange has been placed on the agenda by Geelong council’s fledgling rural and peri-urban advisory committee.
The call for further investigation into supporting the city’s farming sector comes more than 13 months after the historic Geelong Saleyards stopped offering sheep and cattle sales.
Promotion of Colac’s saleyards is yielding underwhelming results, with only a slight increase in sheep trade over the first year.
The facility has been used by some Surf Coast farmers but has largely failed to attract those closer to Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
In a report to tomorrow night’s Geelong council meeting, the committee details its early findings and recommendations.
The committee, chaired by Bellarine councillor Jim Mason, has called for a scoping study into a multipurpose livestock and information exchange in the G21 region.
It wants to see four councils — Geelong, Surf Coast, Gold- en Plains and Colac Otway — contribute financially to the $100,000 study.
It is also considering the creation of a community hub and co-ordinated livestock and produce markets.
The committee, which first met in June, contains representatives from the four councils, plus farming and livestock associations.
The council report notes that the cost of implementing the recommendations would need to be considered in the 2019-20 Budget.
The progress in preparing for a service in the post-saleyards era follows the council’s support of a mixed use development on the Weddell Road complex.
Medium density residential housing, open space, small retail outlets, open space and the retention of heritage elements will be pursued on the land.
Industrial development and large-scale shopping facilities have been ruled out.