100 jobs would be created with construction of a proposed private saleyards at Mortlake

Moyne Shire, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and directors of the company proposing the Western Victoria Livestock Exchange met the public for a series of information sessions at Mortlake on Monday.

One of the six directors, Rohan Arnold, said the group was committed to the project which is proposed for the corner of Connewarren Lane and Hamilton Highway.

“It’s a proposal we are very passionate about,” Mr Arnold said. “We are producers, we believe in the industry and we feel that this area and producers need a facility like this.”

He spoke about increasing competition in the market, as well as economic benefits for the south-west.

“A project of this size has a large economic footprint,” Mr Arnold said. “The overall construction phase will see about 100 jobs created locally and the build cost is around $10-million. That will be over a 12-month period. Once the facility is operational, there will be about 22 staff. A combination of permanent and casual staff will work inside the facility.”

He said the forecasted annual turnover was $250-million. “Any business that has a turnover of that sort of number creates a ripple effect of other businesses in the area that will benefit,” he said. Plans for the exchange include a fully roofed saleyard with pens and loading and unloading facilities, a central amenities building with offices and a cafeteria, car and truck parking, a truck wash down area, water treatment ponds and 26 hectares of irrigation area. Moyne Shire planning manager Michelle Grainger said the council had received one submission supporting the plans to date. Submissions close on November 14. Weerite beef producers Mary and Peter Hay welcomed the saleyards proposal, with Ms Hay saying she thought it would a “state-of-the-art” facility.

Mr Hay said the undercover yards would benefit livestock and agents.

“I think at the moment the saleyards throughout the Western District are fragmented and it would be great if they were pulled into one centre,” he said.