Construction of Ballarat’s new Central Victoria Livestock Exchange (CVLX) is underway, with bulk earthworks commencing onsite.
The new multi-million-dollar facility was expected to deliver one of Victoria’s most modern facilities for marketing of cattle and sheep.
Regional Infrastructure Pty Limited (RIPL) Managing Director and CVLX Spokesperson, Garry Edwards, said the new CVLX facility would maintain and strengthen Ballarat’s reputation as the major regional hub for livestock sales in Central Victoria..
“The modern facilities, improvements in the sale presentation of livestock and enhanced animal welfare outcomes will no doubt expand the geographic area from which livestock are drawn for sale, making it a project of both state and regional significance and further adding to the economic benefits the project will bring to the Ballarat region,” Mr Edwards said.
“We’ve recently appointed skilled local businesses to support the construction team in various areas such as pavilion infrastructure and civil services.
“There will be further indirect economic benefits that will flow from the project over the next 12 months, including accommodation, meals, and miscellaneous goods and services.”
Preliminary earthworks would prepare the site for construction, which was expected to be completed in time for sales in mid-2018.
“This facility has been designed to deliver an efficient, technologically advanced marketplace for stock agents that will significantly enhance their ability to achieve positive outcomes for vendors utilising the new facility,” Mr Edwards said.
“Feedback from agents and community stakeholders has been considered right up until this point prior to construction starting.
“As a result of this input, and the need to have capacity to transact an estimated 70,000 cattle and 1.6million sheep through the CVLX facility.
“The design has been optimised to ensure fast efficient livestock processing with improved safety outcomes for all employees and contractors operating on the site,” he said.
