The Winton Saleyards Master Plan is currently due for public consultaiton. The consultation period will be open until the 15th of February. This document is available via the link or at our Shire Office, Library, Neighbourhood Centre in a hardcopy format.
Please send any feedback to info@winton.qld.gov.au.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A whole of precinct Saleyards Master Plan is required to ensure Council has in place the planning and capacity to support expansion, and to retain its status as one of regional Queensland’s leading spelling, weighing and scanning facilities.
Whilst the plan recognises the importance of continuing expansion, it also confirms the importance of performing on-going maintenance activities on the existing infrastructure.
The Winton Saleyards are of very high economic importance to the town, shire and region, with revenue for the 2018/2019 financial year being $180,000 and for the 2019/2020 financial year, increasing to $406,000.
The main objective of the Winton Shire Council (WSC) in relation to the management of the Saleyards, is to provide and plan for infrastructure that allows suitable, safe and viable transactions of livestock from within the catchment area.
The Council is also responsible for ensuring the following:
- Good governance,
- Commercial viability,
- Risk minimisation, and
- Compliance with environmental and work, health and safety requirements and other relevant legislation, including animal welfare requirements.
This Master Plan intends to provide a framework and forward plan to assist with good management, consultation and sustainable outcomes for the region.
An onsite visit by Elected Members and staff was held at the Winton Saleyards on Friday 8th May 2020, to inspect the current condition of the Saleyards and to discuss potential future improvements.
A number of the improvements identified would improve safety standards, environmental requirements and in most cases, would attract greater livestock spelling and processing numbers.
Few changes are required from a management perspective, as the facility is efficiently and well run by the existing contractors.
Organic Certification of the Winton Saleyards
At the Council Meeting held on 19th November 2020, a report was considered for the Winton Saleyards to become certified as organic saleyards. Council agreed for the required upgrades to enable an application to be submitted to establish Certified Organic Saleyards.
There is an increasing number of stations in the region and surrounding regions turning to organic cattle production. Organic certification of the Winton Saleyards will provide another processing and spelling option for organic pastoralists and potentially increase the Saleyards turnover.
Author: Lynda Alcorn