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“We’re certainly looking forward to getting into action as soon as we can.”<\/p>\n
McCulloch said the response to the news has been positive from all involved.<\/p>\n
“I’m yet to meet anyone out here that hasn’t wanted a roof and hasn’t been really pushing for it,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a huge win.”<\/p>\n
City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the funding recognised the BLE’s critical role in the region’s livestock industry.<\/p>\n
“We’re very pleased to secure this investment, which will contribute to improved animal welfare standards and health and safety standards for staff, contractors and visitors,” he said.<\/p>\n
“A roof ensures the long-term viability and success of the facility, will help reduce water used to clean the yards and provides future opportunity for added benefits like solar power generation and water harvesting.”<\/p>\n
The proposed stages two and three of the project, which are subject to further costings and funding, will eventually involve all holding areas of the facility being brought under shelter.<\/p>\n
Ranked as one of Victoria’s top sheep saleyards (alongside Ballarat and Hamilton), the purpose-built complex opened for business in May 1997 to replace the old Charleston Road site, which after 135 years of operation was well past its use-by date.<\/p>\n
Huntly was chosen as its location due to its direct access to major freight routes and its relative distance from residential areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE bustling Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) will finally be able to commence stage one of its new roof project after a $1.7 million commitment from the state government, a figure that is expected to be matched by the City of Greater Bendigo. The Huntly facility sees about one million sheep pass through its gates every […]<\/p>\n