A breakaway group of Ballarat stock agents have officially withdrawn their support of the new Ballarat saleyards planned for Miner Rest.
In a letter to the facility’s developers, Palisade Investments Pty Ltd, private stock agency firms TB White and Sons Pty Ltd, HF Richardson & Co; and Charles Stewart & Co, state the groups reason for the withdrawal is that the proposed new facility will not be fit for purpose with size and quality concerns.
The notice of advice, which was made Wednesday by Ballarat legal firm, Cinque Oakley Senior, estimates the three agents combined use of the current saleyards on La Trobe street, Ballarat, amounts to about 50 per cent of the volume of sales.
The rebelling agents legally advisor Dean Cinque also advised that after numerous meetings between Palaside and stakeholders, which included the three agents, the clients believe little has been achieved and their concerns have not been treated seriously. “Looked at objectively the relationship between my clients and RIPL has completely broken down,” he said.
“(And) given the history of this matter stretching over some years my clients have concluded that the new facility to be built at Miners Rest is not viable and will not be supported by them.”
The three agents have declared they will not use the Miners Rest facility and they will make other arrangements with respect to their business at the appropriate time. Stock & Land understands that this may involve remaining at the current La Trobe street site, which has a Queens caveat overlay specifically for the purpose of a cattle saleyards, until a new site and developer can be found to construct a saleyard suited to their needs and specifications.
TB White principal Gerard White said it was disappointing this course of action has needed to be taken.
*Continued page 2
“We, as Ballarat agents, have for more than five years tried to work through the process with the developer to achieve an outcome suited to all stakeholders,” he said.
“We have raised issues with the size and capacity of the both the planned sheep and cattle facilities, the ramp designs and their number, the concept of the variety of flooring among other things. But we have not been listened to and we also had no guidance of the proposed fees to be charged which on their (RIPL) past performance is not acceptable business situation to be placed in”.
“In fact the working relationship we have as agents with RIPL has deteriorated so badly over time that we have received communication from them saying the rebelling agents would no longer be welcome to be involved in future planning discussions” Mr White said.
“That’s how bad is got.”
When Stock & Land contacted Paliside Investments the company was yet to receive the letter.
“It is news to us, and its surprising,” Palaside’s Andrew McCarron said.
“We know there were negative views being expressed by one or two of the Ballarat agents but this is a new development”.
Ballarat Stock Agents president Tom Madden said the association had not be advised by the companies of their move to withdraw their support.
“I can make no comment until we are officially advised,” he said.