Colac backs local yards

That is the value it provides to the local economy annually and why council decided to fund the $1m roof and water catchment upgrade that was officially opened this month.

"There are pushes to have the Geelong saleyards closed, because of development around it, and there is currently a move to have regional saleyards rather than smaller ones all over the place, so we needed to become more efficient and economically viable," mayor Lyn Russell said.

The investment comes as several regions prepare to amalgamate saleyards as councils begin handing saleyard management over to private investors.

However, councillor Russell was unconcerned over any potential impact on Colac's throughput numbers as a result of the flagged Super Southern Saleyard development by Regional Infrastructure Pty Ltd (RIPL), earmarked for South West Victoria.

"Which other stockyard around has a roof on it or the standard of facilities we have here?" she said.

"And it's central."

Colac Otway Shire's saleyards back on to Lake Colac and are situated on 15 hectares on the Colac-Ballarat road.

Cr Russell said the shire had been in "progressive" talks with RIPL about locating the Super Southern Saleyard at the Colac site but this had been rejected by general manager Garry Edwards as a development possibility.

"While a lot of councils are walking away from saleyards and thinking about who else they can get in to fund it, our council has been very supportive of expanding and ensuring it was a total regional centre," Colac saleyards advisory chairman Sergio Beani (pictured) said.

Mr Beani said the advisory committee was in talks with surrounding shires to encourage them to use the upgraded saleyards as a regional facility.

"If you had one area and concentrated the buyers into that saleyard you would see the numbers go up dramatically because people would have the confidence that competition was there for their cattle, and that is what the saleyard system is about."