Cattle farmers and buyers in the Maranoa region will now have access to a state-of-the-art selling centre, following a major renovation of Australia's largest beef saleyards in Roma.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government's $3.9 million investment in agricultural infrastructure had already supported 94 construction jobs in the region.
"The Roma Saleyards have grown to become Australia's largest cattle selling centre over the past 50 years, with more than 11 million head of cattle sold at a value of more than $5 billion," Mr McCormack said.
"These important upgrades will improve the safety, accessibility and the functionality of this site supporting the region's agricultural community."
Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud, who attended the official opening, said the Roma Saleyards upgrade had renovated the deteriorating, 50-year-old previous facility.
"The new saleyards will house a larger number of livestock settlement agents, decreasing costs and boosting business activity and sales, particularly through the use of live streaming and online auctioning," Mr Littleproud said.
The new multi-purpose facility and interpretive centre will give farmers the best platform possible to show off their livestock, while also enhancing the Maranoa region's tourism experience by promoting the history and importance of the beef industry in Australia.
Acting Queensland Minister for State Development Stirling Hinchliffe said the Palaszczuk Government was pleased to help local governments like Maranoa Regional Council deliver the infrastructure needed to create thriving communities.
"Investments made through our $365 million Building our Regions program are fuelling long-term, job-creating projects right across our state," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"This facility will become a focal point for Roma and will further boost what's already the biggest cattle selling centre in the southern hemisphere."
Maranoa Mayor Tyson Golder said the project was a fantastic example of what three levels of government can do when they collaborate together.
"I would like to thank the Australian and Queensland governments for their commitment in helping us further improve the Roma Saleyards," Cr Golder said.
The Australian Government committed $3,961,483 to the project under the Building Better Regions Fund - an $841 million investment designed to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.
The Queensland Government contributed a further $3,698,983 through its Building our Regions program and Maranoa Regional Council provided the remaining $956,047.
