The Bendigo Livestock Exchange is the last of Victoria’s key regional sale yards not to have a roof.
With over 20,000 sheep and lambs sold at the exchange each week, State Nationals MP, Gaelle Broad, is pushing for the “long-awaited” roof.
After visiting the saleyards and speaking with farmers, agents and staff, Broad raised the issue in Parliament.
The member for Bendigo says Central Victoria’s extreme weather conditions and lack of shelter impacts the welfare of the sheep and lambs at the facility.
Previously, the Federal Government scrapped its Bridges Renewal Program which saw Upgrades to the Bendigo Livestock Exchange canned. Greater Bendigo council also previously highlighted the issue with investment prospectus and concept designs already complete.
Saleyards in Ballarat, Horsham and Hamilton all have roof structures – with the Horsham facility recently acknowledged for its solar power roofing project.
Broad says this project also provides a great opportunity for solar power generation by installing roof panels and harvesting water.
“It’s time the Government demonstrated Victoria’s commitment to animal welfare by allocating funds to build a roof structure at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange,” Broad says.
