Townsville Bulletin

Council saleyards land new operators

- TRUDY BROWN

SALEYARD Services NQ has been awarded the contract to operate the Dalrymple Saleyards for the Charters Towers Regional Council.

Council awarded the tender to the North Queensland­based company following the announceme­nt Philipson Holdings would be stepping away.

Mayor Frank Beveridge said there was a lot of interest in the livestock contract.

“Council put it out through the tender process in June this year and received 10 submission­s from interested parties wanting to take it on,” he said.

“It was a competitiv­e process and we are delighted to be able to name a new contractor to take over from Philipson Holdings.”

Townsville-based Saleyard Services NQ is operated by Ross Palmer, who held the contract at the Dalrymple Saleyards from 2009-11 as Northern Saleyards Services.

When Mr Palmer’s contract was not renewed after two years local livestock agents and graziers protested at the council chambers over the decision.

They claimed submission­s made by them calling for Mr Palmer’s contract to be extended were ignored.

The Charters Towers Regional Council said it was a record-breaking year for the Dalrymple Saleyards last financial year with livestock contractor Philipson Holdings in charge at the time.

The record broke the previous record set in 2019-20.

Charters Towers Councillor Bernie Robertson said it was reassuring to have an experience­d operator like Saleyard Services NQ as the new contractor.

“The principals of Saleyard Services NQ have previously managed the Dalrymple Saleyards and they have extensive industry experience,” he said.

“We expect the 2020-21 financial year will be another big year for our saleyards and it’s good knowing we have experience­d contractor­s in place.

“They will be responsibl­e for a range of livestock handling services including stock feeding, cattle dipping, NLIS tagging and yarding while operating under a range of legislativ­e and quality assurance frameworks.”

Council CEO Aaron Johansson, Mayor Frank Beveridge, Cr Robertson and council staff involved with the saleyards thanked Leanne and Ron Philipson for their years of service and involvemen­t with the Dalrymple Saleyards.

Charters Towers Regional Council will continue as the owners of the saleyards and retain the responsibi­lity of overall operations, licensing, accreditat­ion and bookings.

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