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Hamilton granted almost $2 million for sheep saleyard roof

Sheep Central, December 9, 2015
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, left, and Hamilton Stock Agents Association president Craig Pertzel at the Hamilton saleyards.

Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, left, and Hamilton Stock Agents Association president Craig Pertzel at the Hamilton saleyards.

HAMILTON’S saleyard redevelopment will receive almost $2 million in Federal Government funds, allowing the Southern Grampians Shire Council to complete roofing of the sheep yards.

Member for Wannon Dan Tehan this week said the $1,994,981 in funding from the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund will enable the second and final stage in the $6.6 million redevelopment of the saleyards to be completed.

“For a sheep saleyard it will make it the first to be put completely under a roof and the best in Victoria.

“It is great for the district, because it is such a great generator of income,” Mr Tehan said.

The roofing of the saleyard’s sheep pens is expected to take 2-3 years to complete. The first stage $2.6 million upgrade included new sheep pens with concrete floor, extensive roofing, new concreted auctioneer walkways and improved loading and unloading facilities which meet the latest industry standards.

Mr Tehan said Hamilton’s reputation as the premier livestock selling centre in Victoria will be further enhanced with Australian Government funding for redevelopment.

“ This announcement is very timely with the sale yards last week recording the largest single yarding anywhere in Australia in almost 30 years.

“The funding for stage two of the project will support the redevelopment of the sheep yards and roofing, a manager’s office, canteen refurbishment, asphalting loading areas and car parks, rotunda refurbishment, truck effluent, stock grids and landscaping,” he said.

“This investment into Hamilton not only benefits local primary producers but will also service surrounding local government areas, giving them access to a first class selling centre.

“These upgraded facilities combined with ancillary businesses will position Hamilton to attract a continual stream of commercial visitors,” Mr Tehan said.

“The economic benefits based on the improved facilities; including the jobs created and the increased visitors to the region are significant.”

The National Stronger Regions Fund provides local community projects with between $20,000 and $10 million, covering up to 50 per cent of the project cost.  The fund encourages partnerships between project proponents and the private sector, local and state governments.

The fund has been designed to strengthen communities and deliver economic growth within Australia’s regions, enabling our regional areas to invest in their own future.

Further information on the National Stronger Regions Fund: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/NSRF/

 

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