The City of Ballarat has revealed the loss to the city would be between $170 million and $190 million of economic benefit a year.

It also revealed up to 700 jobs associated with the operation of the saleyards would be lost if it was moved outside of Ballarat’s boundaries. 

Ballarat councillor Des Hudson said the saleyards relocation was a highly complex issue which was deeper than simply dollar figures. 

“The saleyards generates an enormous amount of economic benefit for Ballarat every year,” Cr Hudson said.

“It is one the biggest business in the city and that is why, as a council, we are doing everything we can in this process to determine the greatest outcome.” 

Cr Hudson said if the saleyards was located just outside of Ballarat, the economic benefits would still flow into Ballarat. However, if it was located more than 30 kilometres outside of municipality, those benefits would the flow into the nearest regional centre. 

Cr Samantha McIntosh said councillors were also being flooded with new information on the issue, including a multimillion-dollar housing estate proposed for a nearby quarry. 

“Anything which is of such great economic benefit to the city needs to be considered very closely,” Cr McIntosh said.

“It would be fantastic to keep it in Ballarat but as a council we need to be aware of all aspects of the equation and work out what is in the best interests of the Miners Rest community, the community which resides next to the current saleyards and all the stakeholders involved in this process.”

Miners Rest residents fear the development would destroy their township and have voiced concerns about noise, stench, traffic volume and close proximity of the proposed site to existing housing.

Others said the development would devalue their homes and stifle residential growth in the region. 

More than 80 residents opposing the proposal lobbied councillors at a council meeting earlier this year.

In April, councillors controversially voted to pass the responsibility of the saleyards relocation onto the state government.

Later this year, an independent planning panel appointed by the government will hear from residents, stakeholders and the council.

The panel will make recommendations before councillors vote on the proposal. 

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au