Sod turning marks start of saleyards roof construction
Horsham Rural City Council has marked the turning of the first sod as construction begins on the new $3.03 million roof over Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange.
Mayor Mark Radford, Member for Mallee Anne Webster and Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange Advisory Board Chairman Cr David Grimble were on hand at Thursday's official ceremony.
All 23,400 square metres of the saleyards will be roofed, with HRCC committing $1.54 million to the $3.03 million project.
The Commonwealth Government is contributing $1.49 million via its Building Better Regions Fund.
The key long-term benefits from the roof include weather protection for livestock, staff, agents and buyers, improved livestock quality, carbon emission reductions and reduced cleaning and maintenance costs.
The upgrade will also include LED lighting and solar panels, and will enable a substantial amount of water to be harvested and re-used.
Cr Radford said the project was an example of what can be achieved when different levels of government and the local community worked towards the one goal.
"Today is another important step in the life of this successful Council enterprise," Cr Radford said.
"The Livestock Exchange or saleyards used to be in the heart of Horsham. Over time, the relocation to Burnt Creek and a series of ongoing improvements, have kept the facility at the forefront of livestock transactional venues.
"The roofing of the Exchange will improve the workplace conditions for our staff and visiting buyers and sellers, and, no doubt, the welfare environment for the animals that arrive to be traded.
"The side benefits relating to design work, purchasing of quality material, manufacturing and assembly will all have a wide knock-on effect.
"We wish MKM Constructions our best for the 'build' and, no doubt, Council will assist and do their bit as the project progresses.
"We sincerely thank the Federal Government for its vital support for this project," he said.
