Cutting the ribbon to officially declare open the $12 million Corowa Saleyards upgrade was NSW Minister Tara Moriarty, with, from left, Member for Albury Justin Clancy, Federation Council’s David Coppolino, selling agent Clynton Rixon, council’s Angela Reidy, Mayor Pat Bourke and General Manager Adrian Butler.
The biggest single project undertaken by Federation Council, the $11.6 million upgrade of Corowa Saleyards, was officially opened by NSW Minister Tara Moriarty on Thursday, March 28.
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The upgrade has been jointly funded by the previous NSW Government ($10.1 million) and Federation Council ($1.5 million).
It provides a safer, more efficient, and more attractive facility for livestock buyers, sellers and the general public. The major upgrade includes: • multi-purpose learning centre and administrative building for localising skill pathways • new roof, which will better protect stock, staff and visitors from extreme weather conditions • water catchment system and upgraded lighting system • truck wash to provide improved biosecurity protections.
“The upgrades will draw additional traders and visitors into Corowa and surrounding centres, spending money in local stores and providing downstream benefits for businesses and suppliers,” the Minister said.
The impressive sign, on a most impressive administration centre.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Ms Moriarty, the Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW said the funded expansion will ensure the saleyards will go from strength-to-strength.
“It’s important to have major hubs like this facility in our regions because they futureproof our agricultural sector, support local economies and create opportunities for training and work,” she said.
"The flow-on impacts from the upgrades benefit sheep and lamb producers, as well as the transport and logistics and the education and training sectors.”
About 600,000 head of sheep pass through the saleyards annually, generating average sales of more than $81 million.
State Member for Albury, Liberal Justin Clancy, played a key role in organising visits to the site by leading NSW Government officials, including visits by Deputy Premiers Jon Barilaro and Paul Toole and consequential state funding.
“When I was with John Barilaro, in 2017, I said ‘we’ve got to do something’. This project sets it up for the next generation,” he told The Yarrawonga Chronicle. “It’s fantastic for Corowa and the wider area, and for the livestock industry.”
Federation Council Mayor Patrick Bourke said the official opening means council’s overall masterplan for the site has come to fruition.
"This project has a strong focus on animal welfare, environmental responsibility, growth, and safety, and upon delivery will allow further future opportunities for the Corowa Saleyards to be unlocked in a holistic and strategic manner,” the mayor said.
“This delivery of the new Corowa Saleyards precinct will not only improve the saleyards facility moving forward but will go a long way in supporting the resilience of our local economy and wider agricultural trading market.”
Corowa Saleyards now ranks the fourth largest sheep sale in NSW, helped by the closure of the Yarrawonga and Barnawartha markets. Selling agent Clynton Rixon recalled the time when he first started at the saleyards in 1990, the days of fortnightly markets compared to weekly markets for many years now.
He praised the upgrade. “There’s a lot more harmony now between agents and council,” he said. “It’s a stress-free environment for stock. It’s a real credit to everyone involved. And those ranked 1 to 3 don’t have a roof. We’ve come from a long way back. This ticks all the boxes.”
