EMOTIONS ran high in the gallery of about 180 farmers and stock agents, mostly in favour of keeping the Warrnambool saleyards open, at Monday night’s Warrnambool City Council’s (WCC) public meeting.

Impassioned pitches were heard by all Councillors on both sides of the debate before deciding its fate, but in the end, they voted 4-3 to close the saleyards, the South West Victorian Livestock Exchange (SWVLX), by June 30, 2023.

Mayor, Debbie Arnott chaired the meeting and on multiple occasions ordered members of the gallery to be quiet and resorted to banging the desk with her gavel.

While limited questions were allowed to be submitted and read by the authors from the gallery, other members ignored procedure and shouted questions and statements at Councillors, causing Cr Arnott to threaten to have some members removed.

Written and electronic petitions with 1500 combined signatures were lodged by the Warrnambool Stock Agents Inc to keep and upgrade the SWVLX at its current location.

The SWVLX is a major livestock selling centre in southwest Victoria with European Union (EU) accreditation and Cr Arnott said that all Councillors had “wrestled with this decision”.

“But we had to make a decision in the long-term interests of Warrnambool residents,” she said.

“In the end the finances, the decline in cattle numbers and the siting of the yards were compelling reasons to close.

“The saleyards have not been making a return to Council in recent years and given the decline in throughput it would have been impossible for the saleyards to operate on a commercial basis and very unlikely that they could break even.”

Blaming previous councils for poor management and lack of investment into the facility was a consistent theme heard from Councillors.

Cr Ben Blain moved the motion to close the facility that was seconded by Cr Vickie Jellie, with support from Crs Max Taylor and mayor Debbie Arnott, while Crs Richard Ziegeler, Otha Akoch and Angie Paspaliaris were against the motion.

In his supportive statement, Cr Blain said that SWVLX had consistently run at a loss for the last five years and was too great a risk to ratepayers.

“Costs will continue to rise,” he said.

Cr Arnott said that farmers had alternative selling venues at Mortlake and Camperdown and cattle can also be sold via online auctions and through direct selling.

“The growth of the city makes the location increasingly unsuitable, which happened when the yards were in Swan Reserve,” she said.

Cr Jellie said that ten years ago, WCC made a huge mistake by not addressing the issues with the saleyards then.

“We would not be sitting here tonight if they had done so,” she said.

“It is a very emotive issue and yes, I have many concerns …animal welfare is an important issue.

“The ongoing costs in keeping up with this will escalate in coming years.

“Keeping to standards of EPA would be no doubt more difficult to maintain.”

The other side of the debate heard strong sentiment arguing the importance of what was an iconic business and social meeting place for hundreds of local farmers, stock agents and their families, as well as animal welfare issues.

Cr Akoch reminded his fellow Councillors that “Warrnambool is our constituency - not Mortlake or other towns and we were elected to represent here”, following which there was a round of applause.

“We cannot destroy our own house… “Madam mayor, there are things money cannot buy,” he said.

“In my humble opinion … (we should) keep it open for generations to come.”

Warrnambool Stock Agents Association president, Kieran Johnstone who also works for Nutrien Ag Solutions, said the saleyards were of significant commercial and social benefit, to not only the local agricultural industry, but other local businesses.

Mr Johnstone said he was very disappointed in the vote to close the facility he described as a “Warrnambool icon”.

“They’ve made a decision - we’ve got to live with that now,” he said.

“It’s the other businesses in Warrnambool that will take the biggest hit.

“Farmers spending in Warrnambool - they come to town and then spend a lot of money.”

Mr Johnstone said Council undertook an economic impact study several years ago and found there would be an economic impact of about $30-40 million.

“They did another one recently, but I would like to challenge that – they reckon it was only about $10 million,” he said.

“Even so, I wouldn’t want there to be a $100 loss to the local economy - let alone $10 million.

“It’s really disappointing for the city of Warrnambool … it’s 120-year-old business … it makes money that goes back into consolidated revenue for the Council - it’s one of only a couple of things that makes money for the Council - so why haven’t they reinvested it into the saleyards?”

Mr Johnstone also said he would like to question whether WCC had explored all options for resources - like capital grants for example.

“There’s also the levy that users (farmers) have paid - a levy a $2 - when you sell - that was supposed to be put back into the maintenance of saleyards - I’d like to know where that’s gone,” he said.

Jack Kelly and his wife Jess of J&J Kelly Stock Agency, have run their local stock agency for the past 31 years in Warrnambool.

Mr Kelly said they have had weekly sales at the SWVLX and a monthly store sale on the last Friday of each month over the last three decades, but they were unsure what the future would hold now.

“The outcome was a bit of a shock,” he said.

Mr Kelly said they had about 15-20 staff full time and part time that would be impacted by the decision to close.

“We like to employ a lot of young people - it’s become a very popular industry but now, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.

“We’ve also got a lot of business relationships that have built up over that time.”

The full resolution passed by Council on Monday night acknowledged the work and commitment of employees at the SWVLX and said they would continue to engage with them to minimise the impact of its closure.

“I particularly want to acknowledge the Council staff who work at the saleyards,” Cr Arnott said.

“Some have been employed at the yards for many years.

WCC also acknowledged the dedicated support from agents associated with the yards and the loyal producers over the years of operation.

“Council will ... work with the community to ensure we get the best possible long-term outcomes for the saleyards site and surrounding buffer land,” Cr Arnott said.

WCC said they would now develop a strategic land use plan for the site which will consider the truck wash service and effluent dump, site rehabilitation and associated costs.

Council authorised the chief executive to proceed with the required perimeter fencing and associated works required in response to the WorkSafe improvement notice issued in March 2022.

Council also authorised the chief executive to reallocate budgeted funds from the refurbishment of the saleyards to fund the future strategic land use plan (including associated community consultation) for the site.