Funding plan agreed for Livestock Exchange roof

Published on 13 November 2018

Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange.JPG

Construction of a roof over Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange could begin in July next year if Horsham Rural City Council wins funding via the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) program.

Councillors in May this year adopted a Master Plan to guide the future direction for the Exchange for the next 10 to 20 years.

Roofing of the facility was identified as the key priority and a subsequent business case added significant merit to the proposal.

Council Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said BBRF funding of $1.49 million was being sought for the project, which would contribute to the total cost of $3.03 million.

“At a Special Meeting on Monday, Council agreed to commit to funding $1.54 million for the proposal,” Mr Bhalla said.

“We are also pursuing State Government funding for the project,” he said.

A roof over the Exchange would provide significant benefits including better conditions for livestock and staff, reduced cleaning costs, improved lighting and it will also allow a massive amount of water to be captured and re-used.

“A detailed review of the costing prepared for the Master Plan has determined the cost to roof the full sheep saleyards area is $3.03 million (ex GST), based on an estimate from a construction firm experienced in this type of project,” Mr Bhalla said.

“Options are available to stage roofing, however the maximum benefit will be achieved by roofing the full area. This will help Horsham maintain its status as the regional exchange for the Wimmera-Southern Mallee.

“A full business case has been prepared for the project. This determined a benefit/cost ratio of the project at a very high 7.5 (i.e. $7.50 return for each $1 invested). Much of the benefit of the roofing project relates to the enhanced condition of presentation of animals for sale,” he said.

Sheep and lambs have been sold at the Burnt Creek facility every Wednesday since it opened in December 1999. 

The Exchange is Victoria's fourth-largest sheep and lamb market and is the major livestock selling centre in the Wimmera, attracting vendors from as far away as the South Australian border and southern New South Wales.

Now in its third round, the BBRF supports projects which involve new construction or the upgrade of existing infrastructure in regional areas.

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