Visitors to the Blackall Saleyards have been getting a different perspective of the sales with a new viewing platform, made possible through more than $54,000 from Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP).
In officially opening the latest addition to the Saleyards, Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe said the viewing platform provided a fantastic vantage point for both tourists and buyers.
"The viewing platform is already showing off what a fantastic facility the Saleyards is and it’s giving first-timers a unique bird’s eye view of all the sales action," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"It has the potential to be a real tourist attraction with it being a centrepiece for Saleyards tours, offering visitors to this fantastic part of Queensland even more reason to stay longer.
"I would like to congratulate everyone at the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council for delivering this important piece of local infrastructure and boosting the local economy."
The Blackall Saleyards were built in the mid-1970s and underwent a recent million-dollar upgrade by the Council to cater for the anticipated 120,000 cattle that pass through the yard each year.
Blackall-Tambo Mayor Andrew Martin said that even though the recent drought has seen a small drop in cattle numbers it is still a great experience for visitors to see a live cattle sale.
"The sales are not necessarily held weekly as this drought continues but average one a fortnight particularly during the tourism season where we see an influx of so many Australians, many of whom have not seen a live sale," Mayor Martin said.
"Not only is this integral part of our national food chain, Blackall is one of only two organically certified saleyards in Australia and with this viewing platform we can share this by encouraging as many people as possible to come and see a live sale.
"I encourage anyone who hasn’t seen a live sale to come to Blackall for the experience.
"I’d also like to thank the Queensland Government for its support in helping the Council deliver the viewing platform which also played an important role in Blackall’s recent 150th celebrations."
The Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program supports local governments to deliver infrastructure which is designed to create jobs and contribute to building safe, caring and connected communities.
