The council vote on Wednesday will be a watershed moment for the City of Ballarat, as councillors finally decide on a resolution to the issue that has plagued the city for a decade.

In a landmark move, councillors will hear submissions from stakeholders and the public in sessions held over three consecutive days next week. As the decision day draws closer, representatives from both sides of the debate are intensifying campaigns across the city.

Members of the No-Saleyards for Miners Rest Action Group have parked a truck with an adjoining rocket ready to launch and spray-painted with the words No Saleyards in Miners Rest, on the corner of Latrobe and Brazenor Streets.

Resident Grant Tillett said said truck symbolised that the community would fight the proposal, which planned to move the saleyards to the Sunraysia Highway, until the end.

“There are enough unresolved issues that councillors should be very concerned about voting in favour of this proposal,” Mr Tillet said. “They simply cannot not vote for the application unless they can be certain the concerns are groundless.”

Not to be outdone by the grassroots community campaign, Regional Livestock Exchange (RLX) the developers behind the multi-million dollar proposal, have employed an independent lobby group in a last ditch attempt to gain the support of councillors.

A Move the Saleyards mobile billboard appealing to councillors to support the proposed relocation of saleyards to Miners Rest, will be circulating the city in the lead up to the vote.

RLX director Paul Brown said the new saleyards would be paid for by the private sector at no cost to the council. “A range of independent experts have provided council with strong and logical reasons to support the move,” he said. The council will hold its first meeting on Monday at 2.30pm at the Town Hall. It will be followed by a meeting on Tuesday at 6pm and vote on Wednesday at 6pm.