Premier Daniel Andrews today joined community members, local farmers and representatives from the Rural City of Wangaratta to officially open the $3.4 million redevelopment of the Wangaratta Saleyards.
A key election commitment for the Andrews Labor Government, the redevelopment has improved the safety of the saleyards, reduced the operating costs and given locals access to a facility of the highest standards.
The redevelopment included new roofing over the existing yards, soft flooring, a dust suppression system, better lighting, yard modification with a new auctioneer’s walkway and a stormwater capture and reuse system.
The saleyard is now expected to boost its share of live cattle sales in Victoria – creating up to 36 new indirect jobs across the region – while increasing local economic activity by up to $5.5 million per annum.
The saleyards are the second largest in Victoria’s north east, hosting 65 sales annually with a throughput of about 50,000 cattle – accounting for 5 per cent of cattle auctioned state wide.
The facility already employs eight people directly, and contributes a further 95 full time indirect jobs to the region.
The beef industry is an important part of the Victorian economy providing over $2 billion in gross value, with $275 million coming from the Hume region alone.
In total there are more than 17,000 farming businesses with beef livestock, including more than 3,000 in north-east Victoria.
The Labor Government helped the Rural City of Wangaratta deliver the project with $500,000 from its Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which is supporting projects across regional and rural Victoria that build critical infrastructure, secure jobs and invest in communities.
The Labor Government has also provided $500,000 to upgrade the Euroa Saleyards.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“As someone who grew up on a beef farm here in Wangaratta, this saleyard has been an important part of my family’s life, as it has for many other beef farmers right across this great region.”
“It is therefore a great honour to be able to officially open the new and revamped saleyards that has served locals so well, over so many years.”
“The redevelopment of the Wangaratta saleyards secures this great facility, grows local jobs and ensures that local beef farmers can continue to get their livestock to market right on their doorstep.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020