WANGARATTA stock agents and producers have escalated their push for an upgrade to the run-down saleyards after the Wangaratta Rural City council's sacking put their two-year plans on the backburner.
The administrator of Rural City of Wangaratta has been in talks with Wangaratta Livestock Agents Association (WLAA) recently about potential options of funding the estimated $3.6 million upgrade to put a roof on and soft floor in the yards.
Last September the Wangarratta City Council was sacked due to incompetent governance with administrators in place until the October 2016 local government elections.
Council's administrator Irene Grant had a meeting last week to hear from WLAA members about their hopes to raise animal handling and welfare standards at the current site.
WLAA president Justin Keane said the upgrade would bring the yards "up to speed" with State standards and enable the venue to remain competitive against the privately-owned Wodonga saleyard development that is underway.
"We think we can increase volume if we get our facility upgraded, stay cost competitive and have an edge on our competition that are privately owned," Mr Keane said.
He blamed "bad timing" following the sacking of council last September for hindering progress, but said agents and producers were intensifying their push for an upgrade with the council administrators.
"Just as it looked like it was going to happen, council was sacked so we have had to start (campaigning) again," Mr Keane said.
"There has been some positive signs with the (administrators) looking hard at the detail and are in discussions with agents , producers and users of the saleyards, which is positive action."
Mr Keane denied that the upgrade push was due to intimidation the new Regional Infrastructure Wodonga saleyards - expected to be operational early next year - would encroach on Wangaratta's throughput if the yards were not improved.
"These have been our plans for about two years, to get the yards upgraded," he said.
"Competition is always good and as agents you need some competition to keep you sharp.
"Our yards are an existing business now, we are selling every week with (livestock) numbers rolling through and I am confident that will continue."
While the city hasn't resolved whether the saleyards will stay in council's hands or management be passed to a private investor, Mr Keane said agents and producers were in favour of retaining the control.
"I think for the Wangaratta committee it will be better to remain in councils hands," he said.
"I'm not against private investment … as far as we are concerned we just want to see the saleyards upgraded so we can get more cattle through.
"It is getting to the pointy end for council to make a decision and once it is made it won't be long until we jump into (the upgrades)."