Prodding idea of a saleyards plan
SECURITY gates and a master plan are ear-tagged for the council-owned Warwick Saleyards in the new budget.
Corporate Services portfolio chair Cr Jo McNally said $30,000 had been set aside to develop the master plan.
"This plan will provide a long-term direction for the saleyards which is needed to be able to deliver a sustainable future for them, as well as comply with Asset Management Requirements," Cr McNally said.
"The Warwick Saleyards is celebrating 50 years of operation this year and it is time to look at expanding its operations further.
"The saleyards is normally a cost neutral area for council but has potential for revenue growth if its operations can be expanded.
"Fifty years after the first sale was held in Warwick, it is already one of the busiest saleyards on the Downs, but lack of space limits the revenue it can generate."
Cr McNally said a master plan was required in order to secure future state and federal government funding for expansion of the saleyards.
"This year operation of the saleyards will cost council in the vicinity of $582,526 with an income of approximately $564,812," she said.
She also said $40,000 would be spent on installing security gates at the saleyards to stop their "unauthorised use", as well as minimising the risks associated with "unsupervised" use.
