Battle of words and smells at CVLX

CONCERNS raised by Miners Rest residents regarding smells coming from the Central Victorian Livestock Exchange have resulted in a compliance order being issued by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria.

THE EPA issued the order to the operators of CVLX on Friday, 28 December.

The eight-page document, detailing EPA observations undertaken at a site visit on Tuesday, 11 December, sets the one requirement for CVLX comply with, “By 15 February 2019, you must modify your cleaning activities to prevent offensive odours being emitted into the residential areas surrounding the premises.”

“Specifically perform dry cleaning of the sheep pens, such that you do not add any more water than is absolutely necessary to achieve the appropriate level of sanitation, during the cleaning activity of the sheep pens at the premises.”

As the stock yards at Miners Rest have soft flooring CVLX acknowledged the preferred procedure for cleaning the sheep yard is a dry clean performed by mechanical brush sweeping with an intermittent wash down of the swept surfaces when required.

This is a change to the procedures utilised at the old Ballarat Saleyards for decades where the facility had to be washed every week due to the hard floor surface.

CVXL accepted the current dry cleaning equipment has not performed to the desired level creating a shortterm requirement to wash down the sheep yards after each sheep sale.

“CVLX has identified and sourced different mechanical equipment and that will enhance the cleaning process of the sheep yards,” said Garry Edwards managing director, AAM Investment Group.

“The changes will be in place by Friday, 15 February [so] this will enable the facility to be dry cleaned after every sheep sale, and for washing of the facility to be substantially reduced.”

AAMIG – managers and operators of the CVLX facility – has launched a dedicated feedback line to expedite the process of receiving and dealing with feedback from the community regarding the CVLX yards.

Comments can be made by calling 8657 0069 or emailing [email protected].