Rural services company Landmark Operations has divested its half-share interest in Regional Infrastructure Pty Ltd (RIPL) which manages multiple saleyards sites across the eastern states.
The exit of Landmark from RIPL, which was completed in early June, had been on the cards for the past 18 months or so according to RIPL managing director Gary Edwards.
“It has made no difference to the daily operations and management deals that RIPL has with its business partners,” Mr Edwards told Stock & Land this week.
“Landmark was only ever been a passive investor in RIPL. And now the ownership of RIPL has been 100 per cent acquired by EG Agriculture the management of the various saleyards will continue as normal,” he said.
Former RIPL director Rob Clayton, Landmark, said his company had a difference of opinion to the direction of RIPL moving forward.
“It was not to our liking. We have parted company and wish them good luck”, Mr Clayton said.
The part-ownership of RIPL by Landmark has been a thorn in the side of some Ballarat agents ahead of the RIPL-proposed building of new Ballarat saleyards at Miners Rest.
Bernie Nevins, HF Richardson & Co, said it was one less issue for those who have concerns over the RIPL-managed Ballarat saleyards development.
“Our biggest concern now is the structure of the fees for our clients and ourselves,” he said.
Charles Stewart & Co director Peter McConachy said the important thing for Ballarat was a decision was made quickly to build the Miners Rest yards.
“Having this major decision confirmed will leave fewer problems to be addressed moving forward,” Mr McConachy said.
On the Ballarat saleyards project, Mr Edwards said that all but one agency had granted works approvals for the Miners Rest site.
“I’ve been on leave for a while but I understand only the EPA from the 14 different authorities that were submitted requests have yet to respond,” he said.
“I believe that approval is this week or next,” he said Monday.
“And then we can formally lodge our final building requests with Council.
“So far, there there has been no surprises with our planning approvals and if that continues the project could be commenced very soon.”
When asked about the recently announced Mortlake saleyards project, by the Brendan Abbey-led group from Yass, NSW, Mr Edwards said he did not know enough about it to make comment.
However he did say that RIPL had not as yet dismissed its plans for a saleyard development within the area.
“We have not walked away from a potential development in the saleyards in the south-west,” Mr Edwards said.
“We are still actively committed to industry working groups within the area, and we have looked at the possibilities of sites within the Mortlake area.
“I cannot say anymore on a possible development in that area as we have the Ballarat project to complete first.”
