27 November 2020
The community now has more time to comment on the future of the iconic Warwick Saleyards after Southern Downs Regional Council voted this week to extend the survey’s closing date to Thursday 31 December 2020.
In 2019, Council commissioned the Warwick Saleyards Master Plan which addressed the sustainability of the current facility and made recommendations on future business operations. Subsequently, Council was advised the current saleyards are reaching the end of their operational life without a significant investment and options have been mooted since.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said that there was a very strong sentiment in the community about the future direction of the saleyards and Council was committed to garnering as much feedback as possible to assist its decision making.
“I can assure you, Council is taking the future of the saleyards very seriously and our approach to this important decision will be thorough, consultative and informed,” Mayor Pennisi said.
“In reviewing the future of the saleyards, we will consider the facility’s viability and sustainability, animal welfare, environmental issues, industry standards, biosecurity, traffic management, information technology and workplace health and safety.
“We will be guided by recommendations from the Warwick Saleyards Master Plan, the Saleyards Business Case and the Saleyards Advisory Committee, as well as community and industry consultation.
“Council has extended the closing date of the Warwick Saleyards Survey until the end of the year and I encourage interested parties and industry representative to please take the time and have their say by Thursday 31 December 2020.
The survey can be completed on line at www.sdrc.qld.gov.au and https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SXMH8WD. Hard copies of the survey are also available at Council Administration Buildings and the saleyards.
Currently the options on the table for the saleyards going forward are:
· Renovate the existing infrastructure at the current site to a safe and reasonable operating standard
· Build a new complex in stages on the current site
· Build a new complex on a new site
Note: A brownfield site refers to utilising the existing site and a greenfield site refers to a new site.