Future of Millicent Saleyards

What is being decided?

Council is seeking feedback from the community on the continued operation of the Millicent Saleyards. Despite continued attempts to retain the facility, throughput numbers are in rapid decline and have not been at a financially sustainable level for some years.

Background

The Millicent Saleyards were built in 1976 through a $7 million government grant. The Saleyards infrastructure is damaged, corroded and approaching end of life. Significant components are no longer fit for purpose and need to be replaced to meet Australian Standards.

In 2018, an independent review of the Saleyards recommended its closure. This recommendation was made based on:

• the condition and suitability of the aging infrastructure;
• annual financial operating losses of approximately $200,000 per annum;
• significant changes to marketplace dynamics; and
• declining cattle sale numbers.

In January 2019, Council called a public meeting to identify potential solutions, citing low cattle sale numbers as the primary reason of concern. It foreshadowed that if no realistic solutions were uncovered, the Saleyards would close in 18 months on the 30th of June 2020.

In November 2019, Council extended the closure date to the 30th of June 2021 to enable the newly formed Saleyards Working Group to implement measures to stabilise and improve cattle throughput numbers.

In February 2021, Council decided to continue to operate the Millicent Saleyards on the proviso that cattle throughput numbers were maintained above 8,500 head per annum.

Millicent Saleyards throughput figures, showing the 12 month rolling average in comparsion to the head/pa threshold set by the Council.In November 2021, Council decided to allocate almost $1 million towards infrastructure upgrades, despite cattle throughput numbers dropping below the 8,500 threshold.

Cattle throughput numbers have steadily declined since then with only 4,371 cattle sold through the Millicent Saleyards in the last 12 months. The last sale attracted 73 cattle. No solutions have been found to arrest the decline.

In March 2023, Council resolved to survey the community in order to assist its deliberations with regard to the potential closure of the Millicent Saleyards.

Get involved

A survey was been developed to obtain constructive feedback on the future of the facility.

This survey has now CLOSED.

Feedback was received until 5 pm on Friday, 5 May 2023.

What are the next steps?

Council considered the results of the Future of the Millicent Saleyards survey at its meeting held on 13 June 2023. Council resolved to close the facility as of 30 June 2023.