Wiley project team members recently gathered with the Honourable John McVeigh, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Ray Brown, Mayor of Western Downs Regional Council to officially turn the first sod and mark the start of construction for the state of the art redevelopment of the saleyards at Dalby.
Right to left: Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown, Western Downs Saleyards Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Ray Jamieson, Wiley Project Manager Jon Martin, Minister of Agriculture John McVeigh
Western Downs Regional Council engaged Wiley to design and construct a new undercover saleyards which will include new drafting facilities with better lighting, NLIS identification; and new pens complete with soft flooring.
The redevelopment will be broken into two stages, with the second and final expected to be completed by 2014-15. Wiley’s proposed construction scheduling will minimise disruption to ongoing weekly sales during the project.
Western Downs Saleyards Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Ray Jamieson said the redevelopment would cement Dalby’s reputation as one of the top saleyards in Queensland and one of the nation’s leading cattle producing centres.
"The saleyards is a major hub of economic activity for the Western Downs, and Dalby in particular, through the associated businesses of transport, vendors, livestock agents, sellers, and buyers.
"The planned improvements will bring the saleyards facility up to modern industry standards and will drive the region’s livestock industry forward into the future," he said.
Wiley Senior Process Engineer and local Darling Downs representative, Michael Matthewson said, “we intend to deliver for the Western Downs Regional Council, and The Queensland State Government, the number one cattle sale yard facility in Australia, featuring full compliance and consideration to the ever demanding requirements of Occupational Health and Safety, animal welfare and biosecurity.”
Western Downs Regional Council has allocated $7.6 million towards the project with the State Government contributing $5 million through its Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program.
