WELCOME ACTION ON NEW EXCHANGE

LOCAL farmers have every right to be sceptical over the City of Greater Geelong’s plans to open a new livestock exchange a mere four years after closing the Geelong Saleyards complex.

Ian Kelly, one of the outspoken objectors to the decision to shut down the original facility, this week criticised the council for ignoring farmers’ advice and wishes at the time, saying the decision was shortsighted and driven by the need for a quick cash fix.

The plan to re-examine the need for a livestock exchange — while no doubt frustrating for those who years ago correctly predicted the impact of the loss — shows at least a willingness for the city to admit that there is more it can be doing to support local farmers. Hopefully the opinions from affected parties will be canvassed fully as the project progresses.