Singleton Council has welcomed the announcement earlier this week of $8.9 million in Resources for Regions funding for the upgrade of the Singleton Regional Livestock Market and Ryan Avenue.
The applications were submitted for funding under Round 2b of the State Government program that sees a share of mining royalties returned to communities impacted by mining.
Council will receive $6 million for the upgrade of the saleyards and $2.9 million for pavement and safety upgrades on Ryan Avenue.
Singleton Council General Manager Lindy Hyam says the saleyards are in urgent need of an upgrade in order to remain operational, commercially viable and meet a range of standards including animal welfare, work health and safety and disability access.
“With improved animal welfare and improved efficiencies, the project will allow us to reposition the saleyards in the marketplace to attract new agents, increase stock numbers and grow the business to a sustainable level,” she says.
“This project is a regional priority and Singleton Council’s resolution to submit the project as the highest priority in this round of funding is evidence of that need.”
The saleyards project will see a radical change of the selling environment and will include roofing the entire facility of approximately 14,350 square metres.
It is expected the upgraded facility will see a 20 per cent increase in the head of cattle passing through and provide the opportunity for much greater reach in sourcing new and additional markets.
The facility has a current capacity of 2000 head of cattle and was the 12th largest stock saleyard in NSW based on throughput in 2012/13.