A REGIONAL livestock exchange stakeholder committee will be established for Swan Hill.
Swan Hill Rural City Council will develop the initiative which aims to bring a cross-section of key stakeholders together to help drive the future of the facility.
It’s hoped the committee will comprise of representatives across all facets of the facility, including sheep and beef producers, transporters, agents, local business and government representatives.
“The value of such a committee would be to balance the views and needs of the different stakeholders, to bring alternative perspectives and suggestions for improvements of the services, and to maximise the value the facility brings to the community at large,” Swan Hill Rural City Council director of infrastructure Svetla Petkova said.
Discussing the establishment of the committee at council’s February meeting, councillors agreed a stakeholder committee would be beneficial to the region.
“The livestock exchange is an incredible centre of economic activity for our region,” Cr Nicole McKay said.
“It’s a major economic driver and benefit to livestock growers in our region and far, far beyond.
“We have formulated new planning for the livestock exchange and it’s really appropriate that we have a committee where there can be good dialogue between council and the users, and will hopefully lead to a great relationship and be very mutually beneficial.”
Cr Bill Moar said the move would bring the Swan Hill livestock exchange into line with “many other livestock exchanges throughout the state and indeed the country”.
Cr Moar said the stock exchange was a massive economic driver for the town, attracting livestock from Kerang, Boort, Patchewollock and Broken Hill.
“We’re bringing people in, we’re bringing livestock in and with that, the farmers that come with them spend their money in town,” Cr Moar said.
“Even though council may run at a slight loss or slight profit every year, it’s the economic driver throughout the town and the business it attracts that is of most importance to us.”
With the wheels now set in motion, council will work towards the establishment and recruitment process.
It’s envisaged the group would meet up to four times a year, while Cr Moar will chair the committee.
