Horsham delights in saleyard money

Horsham municipal leaders have welcomed $1.49-million in Federal Government funding that will allow construction of a roof over Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange to start this year.

Horsham Rural City Council has also committed $1.54-million to the $3.03-million project that involves building a roof over all 23,400 square metres of the Burnt Creek saleyards.

The council has listed weather protection for livestock, staff members, agents and buyers, improved livestock quality, carbon-emission reductions and reduced cleaning and maintenance costs as key long-term benefits in building the roof.

The upgrade will also include the installation of LED lighting and solar panels, and an ability to harvest water for re-use on site.

Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla said the project would help Horsham maintain its status as the major regional livestock exchange for the Wimmera and southern Mallee.

“We certainly appreciate the commitment from the Federal Government and thank our consultant team, which assisted us with the strategic planning and business-case preparation,” he said.

“Roofing of the facility was identified as the key priority in a master plan completed in 2018 and the subsequent business case identified in detail the significant merit of the proposal.

“It’s pleasing to see the planning and advocacy work come to fruition.”

Mr Bhalla said the council would call for tenders with an aim to start construction in the middle of this year.

Horsham mayor Mark Radford said the project was a great opportunity for Wimmera construction employment and the supply of steel and roofing materials.

He thanked the Federal Government for the funding and for showing confidence in the Horsham community to take charge of the project.

“It is an important part of our economy and one of Victoria’s main livestock-selling centres,” he said.

“Just on 20 years ago, the Livestock Exchange was moved out of central Horsham to its current site at Burnt Creek.

“The facility is well staffed by good people with a passion for what they do.”

The saleyards are home to Victoria’s fourth-largest sheep and lamb market and the major livestock-selling centre in the Wimmera.

It attracts vendors from as far away as South Australia and southern New South Wales.

Producers have sold sheep and lambs at the site every Wednesday since the saleyards opened in December 1999.

Federal Regional Services Minister Bridget Mckenzie announced the funding as part of a broad package for the region at Wimmera Machinery Field Days.