Options paper being developed for Kempsey saleyards

Surveys at sales over January and February and via online portal ‘Your Say Macleay’ have given buyers and sellers of stock through the saleyards an opportunity to share their experiences of the facility and consider potential management options.

Users who have indicated an interest in being more involved in the discussions have been invited to a strategic stakeholder workshop in late March to consider in more detail the business case for several potential management options.

Council’s Commercial Business Manager, Gayleen Burley, said this targeted feedback has been very informative.

“We’ve had a great response to the surveys from both buyers and sellers and it has provided another component to the financial modelling we’re undertaking,” Ms Burley said.

“After the stakeholder workshop we will be able to refine an options paper that will go to council to endorse placing it on public exhibition to seek wider community feedback.”

Council owns and manages the Kempsey Regional Saleyards where around 40 sales a year are held, resulting in approximately 30,000 head of cattle sold annually.

In 2016 council adopted a Regional Saleyards Financial Plan and commenced a program of capital improvements, including the installation of CCTV cameras over stock yards and upgrades to facilities and signage.

“The Regional Saleyards is a specialist council-owned facility, so it is important that any future decisions on the long-term operations take into account any potential economic benefits or impacts for the wider community,” Ms Burley said.

Information about the project is available on council’s engagement website at: https://yoursay.macleay.nsw.gov.au/saleyards 

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