Potential closure of historical saleyards in Swan Hill sparks outcry
Cattle farmer Leonard Vallance says it is critical that the saleyards remain open. (Supplied: Victorian Farmers Federation)
In short:
The potential closure of the Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange in Victoria's north west has sparked concern from farmers and businesses.
After years of financial losses at the site, a council-issued review has recommended five options for the future of the saleyards, one of which is to close the facility.
What's next?
Swan Hill Rural City Council will make a decision on the future of the saleyards at a date to be confirmed later this year.
Farmers in north-west Victoria are fighting to keep a historical livestock saleyard open, despite a council report warning the facility could cost ratepayers millions to operate.
The Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange, which has been running in Swan Hill since 1938, has been a business hub and gathering place for the local farming community for more than 80 years.
Swan Hill Rural City Council says the saleyards have been running at a loss for years. (ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Nethma Dandeniya)
It is one of many struggling saleyards across the country as farmers and traders increasingly turn to online sales, according to Outcross Agri-Services, a company commissioned by Swan Hill Rural City Council to complete a strategic review on the future of the site.
After years of declining sale numbers and increasing financial losses, the review recommended five options for the future of the saleyards, including shutting the yards completely.
According to the council report, the saleyards have consistently made a loss over the past 10 years.
But the idea of closing the site sparked outcry from local farmers and businesses, resulting in more than 450 submissions to the Swan Hill Rural City Council.
For Swan Hill stock agent Matt Rowlands, the Swan Hill Livestock Exchange was more than just a worksite.
Matt Rowlands' family has sold livestock at the site for generations. (ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Nethma Dandeniya)
"My 92-year-old grandfather used to buy cattle out of the Swan Hill saleyards," he said.
"It's incredibly important on a personal view, but on a professional view, it's a huge priority as well.
"If this saleyard goes by the wayside and this is not all handled properly, then this will be an opportunity we never get back again.
"It'll affect future generations."
Cattle farmer Leonard Vallance sends 300 to 400 head of cattle to the saleyards each year from his farm south of Ouyen.
Leonard Vallance says a lot of money is spent in the town because of the saleyards. (ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Nethma Dandeniya)
He said the loss of the saleyards would have a significant financial impact on Swan Hill.
"We spend close to half a million dollars in this town," Mr Vallance said.
"We buy all of our fuel, insurance, and do our banking in this town, and if there is no inclination to come to the town, we'd ship [our livestock] to Ballarat or somewhere else."
Financial aspect of the saleyards
Earlier this month, around 200 residents attended a forum in Swan Hill to discuss the future of the saleyards.
In the past four years, the saleyards' total accrued loss was $837,244.
The report found that the projected debt would surpass $4.5 million in 10 years if current low-sale rates continued.
The saleyards have seen a 50 per cent decrease in cattle and sheep numbers over the past 10 years. (ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Nethma Dandeniya)
Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Stuart King said the number of cattle sent through the saleyards had dropped by 50 per cent over the past 10 years.
He blamed the "changing face of livestock selling".
"There's a lot of [online] sales direct to buyers and users, abattoirs,"Cr King said.
"There's less stock going through saleyards right around Australia, and obviously Swan Hill is one of those saleyards that is affected."
Cr King said the council was listening to residents and was considering other options, including funding the yards at an extra cost to ratepayers.
"Somewhere along the line, those deficits have to be covered; we don't have an endless bucket of money," he said.
Livestock at the saleyards. (ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Nethma Dandeniya)
Seventy-five years ago, about 300 livestock saleyards existed across Australia, but that number has fallen to fewer than 100 nationwide, with about 40 per cent of livestock sold through the sites annually, according to Outcross.
The Swan Hill Rural City Council is collating the hundreds of submissions received and preparing next steps, which could include a council-led community briefing at a date to be confirmed.