The state-of-the-art South Eastern Livestock Exchange on the edge of Yass is on track for completion in August, according to local proponent Brendan Abbey.
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Mr Abbey said construction of the $14 million complex on Bellevale Road, which started in September last year, is running according to schedule with a grand opening to take place in August.
“The roof over the cattle yards is nearly complete...we are commencing the sheep yards this week and the roof for the sheep and multi-species yard will be done by the end of April,” Mr Abbey said.
Under roof, the 3.2 hectare South Eastern Livestock Exchange will house sheep-selling pens for 18,000 sheep, multi-species pens for 20,000 sheep and/or 2,500 cattle and cattle-selling pens for 1,800 cattle.
“The multi-species pens can double as selling pens also,” Mr Abbey told the Tribune.
So far, 13 agents from Boorowa, Crookwell, Goulburn, Moss Vale, Braidwood, Cooma, Gundagai, Cootamundra and Young have expressed interest in selling their livestock in Yass.
“Coming into Spring, we should have a reasonable number of sheep, lambs and fat cattle on offer,” Mr Abbey said.
The six local investors hope the complex will eventually reach a static figure of 1 million sheep per annum and 120,000 cattle, with an annual turnover of $100 million for sheep and $120 million for cattle.
Mr Abbey said the flow-on effects for the wider Yass Valley community would be immense.
“It will bring a lot of people to the town that don’t normally come here. We envisage about 300-400 people weekly will attend the markets.
“It will generate employment locally with four full-time positions and 15-20 casual positions on the day prior to, and the day of, a sale.
“We are also currently in the process of engaging local people to run the canteen.”
Mr Abbey said there are between 50 and 70 workers on-site at present completing the construction of the yards. All of them either live locally, or are staying in Yass accommodation.
“We have tried to support local businesses as much as possible by buying local products and engaging local businesses for the construction process,” Mr Abbey said.