The proposed sale yards have a problem and it is not location. After more than a decade debating about where they would relocate to, the planning formalities of the new location seemed complete late last year. With the independent panel approval of the Sunrasyia Highway site and the State Government signing off on the plan, it seemed the project was at least making progress.
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But another issue, bubbling away, was there and it has much more to do with the current operator than the location. RXL the operator of the current and future saleyards has failed to win the confidence of a number of high profile stock agents whose operations are intrinsic to the future success of any sale yards wherever they are. The claims of jobs and economic benefit of the facility will not appear quite so attractive if key players in the long term operation of the exchange (as distinct from its construction) are not on board with the project.
In the past there have been complaints from agents about the existing exchange relating to the deteriorating facilities and animal welfare impacts. It is understandable if large scale investment has been deferred when the Delacombe site has an inherent use-by date. But for such a significant complaint as the scale of the yardings to be made about future plans, about what is supposed to become the key livestock sale area for much of western Victoria for decades to come, is much more concerning. The issue about size is significant enough to inspire three important agents to walk away from their support. Admittedly one has long been vocal against RXL’s plans but this growing discontent shows a failure on the operators part to convince its key players it really is building a state of the art facility for the future of Ballarat agribusiness.
Council wants to get out of livestock management and given the specialised expertise required and general movement toward regional centres this is understandable but as the signatory to the contract that allowed RXL to take over the current and future project, it needs to ensure the transition is inclusive and therefore financially sustainable. What is also concerning is we are seeing similarities to the reactive last-minute PR campaign conducted by RXL to allay the fears of the Miners Rest community. Proving RXL’s investment in the new site was adequate for stock agents and would ensure their long term success, should have been a critical part of the planning process. But it appears another horse has bolted.
