New cattle saleyards a boost to the Great Southern Region

9/3/00
The Great Southern cattle saleyards facility in Mt Barker was officially opened by Primary Industry Minister Monty House today.
The regional cattle selling complex, worth $4.2 million, has been developed through a joint venture between the Shire of Plantagenet and the City of Albany.
The saleyards replace the former Mt Barker and Albany facilities in favor of a modern better-integrated facility.
The new facility reflects a combined commitment by many individuals and groups and Mr House congratulated the efforts of the Shire of Plantagenet and the City of Albany for their hard work and vision in establishing the new saleyards.
Mr House said the project had received $786,000 in Coalition Government support.
"The new saleyards will handle 70,000 to 100,000 cattle a year with sales to be conducted on one or two days each week," Mr House said.
"Cattle buyers will experience high quality facilities and standards in areas of environmental control, occupational health, safety and welfare and animal movement.
"A feature of the saleyards is the quarantine controlled and hygienic truck wash down facilities which is also unique to this region.
"This new facility will become an essential part of the cattle sale circuit in ensuring producers have a venue with first class facilities to sell their product.
"It will bring farmers, livestock agents, transporters and buyers to the one central convenient location and is expected to produce spin-off benefits such as increased agricultural production and employment opportunities to encourage further economic growth in the area."
Media contact: Peter Jackson 9481 2044