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, Livestock Agent Clynton Rixon, Federation 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 last 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).
Federation Council senior management staff David Coppolino and Angela Reidy conducted a tour of the large saleyard facility.
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.
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.
Inside the impressive Agricultural Hub, council staff David Coppolino and Angela Reidy, and selling agents Clynton Rixon and Scott Parker.
"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 Free Press. “It’s fantastic for Corowa and the wider area, and for the livestock industry.”
Come to fruition
Federation Council Mayor Patrick Bourke said last Thursday’s 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.”
Mayor Bourke thanked everyone involved in the major project, including contractors, selling agents and council staff David Poppolino and Angela Reidy who had the pleasure of conducting a tour of the facility for many invited guests.
“We need to do this,” Member for Albury Justin Clancy said, on December 5, 2017 to Deputy Premier John Barilaro about a major upgrade to Corowa’s saleyards, then had subsequent Deputy Premier Paul Toole visit the site on September 30, 2022. Mr Clancy was pictured last Thursday with, also long time supporters, Federation Council’s Mayor Pat Bourke and General Manager Adrian Butler.
The saleyards looks and is most impressive. The large, multi purpose administration centre includes a meeting room, workshop area, office areas and canteen, toilet facilities - all so well designed with input from agents, council and architect Bernie Jovaras with a deck overlooking the saleyards. It also provides a social meeting place once a week, which is appreciated by all farmers, especially those lonely farmers.
Flashback to 2017. No roof, etcetera. Member for Albury Justin Clancy (centre) arranged for NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro (at left) to visit the Corowa Saleyards and gained his support for funding. Federation Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler is on the right.
The mayor said Corowa Saleyards ranks the fourth largest sheep sale in NSW and the changes in recent times have resulted in an excellent working relationship for everyone involved.
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.
The impressive sign, on a most impressive administration centre.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
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.”
Closing the formal part to last Thursday’s opening, Mayor Bourke thanked Mr Clancy for his effective support over the years, council contractors, council staff, agents and all other users of this “significant and magnificent project”.
