Moving the Victorian Livestock Exchange from Pakenham makes economic sense for the owners but will put further pressure on producers in the area and Yarra Valley.
That's the concern of cattle producers and Pakenham store sale attendees.
VLE has announced plans to build a new saleyard in the Baw Baw Shire and has developed a shortlist of preferred sites.
Brett Hutchison, Clyde North, sold 22 Charolais cross steers at a recent Pakenham market and said the move would make it harder for him.
"It's not great, but I would think its fairly obvious," Mr Hutchison said.
"Certainly it's further to transport cattle and attend the sales.
"But I think the land here is probably more valuable than the actual money they make out of the facilities - its a common-sense decision for them."
He said it was inevitable his property would eventually go for housing.
"Our goal is to hang in there for a few more years before we ultimately move on."
Rolf Stoeckeler, Tynong, said he came to the markets to assess sales patterns.
"It will make my observation of the market a little bit harder, but I can see that's part of their future direction, with urban encroachment coming on."
Bruce Cook, Kactus Point Charolais, said he lived in Gippsland, but all his farms were in northern Victoria.
"The VLE going further away means more cartage," Mr Cook said.
"I'm at Wagga, Wodonga, Swan Hill saleyards and I'm here.
"If they don't match up with other sales, it's pointless.
"I'm down in Pakenham on Monday for the calf pens; I buy and sell a lot."
He said he hoped any new yards would follow the example of Swan Hill, and weigh cattle in real time.
"Everyone knows what weight they are - they are sold, at that weight, at that time, and they are gone.
"When you are selling, the weights are in front of you.
"If it's weighed in front of you, you can pay better money, because you know what you are spending."
Campbell Czempinski, Tyers, was looking to buy cattle at a recent Pakenham store sale.
He said yards, closer to home, would suit him.
"I guess it would result in cheaper cartage fees and just being able to duck into the market would be a lot easier, than coming to Pakenham," Mr Czempinski said.
"Nowadays they need to have bigger saleyards, in fewer centres, to bump up the competition."
He said he'd like to see a new facility have good weigh scales.
"I have mates that work at Ballarat, and they say the new yards don't work as well.
"These yards work well, so plan the new yards off them."
Bashkim Muke, Healesville, said the greater distance from producers around Pakenham and in the Yarra Valley would mean extra cartage costs.
"Overall, it doesn't suit me," Mr Muke said.
"It might suit a handful of people, but there are also a lot of producers out this way, as well, and a hell of a lot out the Yarra Valley.
"I think it's a bad move."
While moving the yards was a given, distance would have an impact.
"You can't say Pakenham is central, but it's not a bad location for Gippsland, the Yarra Valley and other farmers around here."
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
