The wheels are in motion, according to the co-developer of a plan to build a $12-15 million regional livestock selling centre based at Yass. The Yass Tribune reports that Brendan Abbey hoped to arrange tenders to build a state-of the- art sheep shed and cattle shed in March of next year. He says if all goes well construction may begin between June and December 2011. The selling centre, similar in mould to the Carcoar Livestock Exchange in the Central Tablelands, will be designed for 30,000 sheep and 3000 cattle. The initial buildings, however, will cater for 15,000 sheep and 2000 cattle, with capability to expand when demand warrants.
Based on Mr Abbey’s property near the intersection of Yass Valley Way and Black Range Road, the regional saleyard proposal is aimed at capturing carriers who bypass Yass and sell stock at Wagga.
“It would service Young, Boorowa, Crookwell, Goulburn, Braidwood, Queanbeyan and through to Gundagai and capture livestock that presently leaves the Monaro and goes past Yass to other selling centres and abattoirs. It could potentially cut 300km off a trip,” he said. “The project is proceeding on with a preliminary [environmental] study and a costing on earthworks and construction. A business plan will then be presented to
potential investors. “A preliminary business plan model has been prepared by Colin Medway which proves the viability of the project,” he said.
“The roof will be solar panel compatible, but at this stage it hasn’t proven to be economically viable.”
According to Mr Abbey, an expression of interest to carry out the construction work had been received from the company currently building the Forbes Shire Council sheep yards.
At a meeting last Wednesday, councillors agreed to call for tenders to undertake a feasibility study on the town’s current saleyard, which ran at a loss of $50,608 last financial year.
The study will investigate whether the existing saleyards are viable and explore future alternatives, including a regional selling centre based at Yass. In March, councillors supported in principal Mr Abbey and Mr Medway’s regional sale yards proposal. Mr Abbey said council remained helpful and in support of the project.
Initially, the cost of the project was estimated at $20 million. The developers have reassessed the estimate, and with a 15 per cent return for investors in mind, aim to complete the project for a cost less than $15 million.
Since the March council meeting, a proposed regional selling centre based at Yass has gained momentum. Last month, the Goulburn Livestock Exchange [GLX] withdrew its support for the conversion of the town’s existing saleyards into a regional livestock complex capable of selling 420,000 sheep a year. The fall-through of Goulburn’s bid leaves Yass in a prime position to stake its claim.
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