The Central Victorian Livestock Exchange works approval application lodged with the Environment Protection Authority shows it would contain roofed and external sheep and cattle yards, a truck wash area, truck parks, 216 car parks, an office, water storage dam, water treatment ponds, night lighting, CCTV security, a maintenance and hay shed, and speciality loading and unloading ramps.

The report said the site’s balance would be irrigated grazing land.

However, it does not mention what percentage of the total site, covering 45 hectares, would be grazing land and how much is earmarked for future growth.

It would also cater for 17 staff, 48 agents, six livestock contractors, 12 drovers and up to 100 patrons at peak events, with toilets and cafe facilities also provided.

It is scheduled to host 48 prime cattle sales, 51 sheep sales and 13 store cattle sales each year.

Full-time truck wash access would also be provided.

The report, prepared by Geelong-based consultant Spiire, showed the construction costs would be $2.478 million, with the facility expected to take 12 to 18 months to build. 

It outlines the facility would use about 51 megalitres of water each year, with about 25 megalitres to be provided via recycling or water captured on site.

Odour emission assessments show it would comply with the “five odour unit” allowed within the site boundary, while noise from livestock is exempt from approval process consideration.

But the Ballarat Stock and Station Agents Association has slammed a lack of consultation over the plan’s release.

Association president Tom Madden said he found out about the reports from the media.

“The saleyard users, agents, drovers and transporters shouldn’t have to chase information that we’ve been requesting over the past couple of years,” he said.

While he said he hadn’t yet read the report, Mr Madden said his biggest concern was capacity at the new complex.

“We have to have a saleyard site that can fit 4000 cattle in one sale and 60,000 sheep and lamb in one sale. “Numbers attract buyers and the current site holds that number.”

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au