Major Infrastructure Upgrade of the Cloncurry Saleyards ^Popular

• Council: Cloncurry Shire Council
• Fund: Royalties for Resource Producing Communities Fund
• Category: Economic Development Infrastructure
• Round: 1

The second largest cattle-handling facility in Queensland is being upgraded to ensure it remains operational and viable, improve workplace health and safety and improve animal welfare so it continues to support jobs and economic development in the state's north-west.

* Average number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs supported by project construction (based on Queensland Treasury's Guidelines for estimating FTE jobs directly supported by the capital works program).

Project benefits

 Economic

• Building our Regions funding has enabled council to increase the scope of the upgrade and deliver it sooner to boost the agricultural industry and the regional economy.
• In the 1960s, 50,000 head of cattle passed through the facility a year, compared to 325,000 today with an average price of $1000. Throughput has increased by 100,000 head in the last three years and with further regional development and good seasons this could reach up to 500,000 in the next decade.
• Council has invested $1.04 million over the past five years in maintenance and development and without the upgrade estimates an additional $100,000 per year would be needed to ensure the saleyards’ ongoing viability.
• The upgrade will support up to 11 ongoing FTE positions at the facility that operates around the clock 360 days a year.

 Social

• The council-owned saleyards play a critical role in the community through the ripple effect of employment and flow-on benefits. Every beast handled through the yards involves at least one producer, an on-farm station hand, transport operators, a fuel supplier and saleyards workers, and other associated flow-on jobs and services.
• This project will ensure a safe work environment for truck drivers unloading and loading cattle, and for the employees working at the facility.

 Environmental

• The upgrade is critical to maintaining biosecurity control and cattle tick-free control zones, with the movement of stock regulated through inspection and treatment facilities under the Stock Act 1915 and Stock Notice 2005.
• Cattle from tick zones arrive at the saleyards to be dipped before continuing north and if biosecurity measures are compromised the environment, industry and stakeholders will be severely impacted.
• The project will ensure regulatory and legislative compliance with animal welfare standards, workplace health and safety, and environmental management to ensure best practice standards.

Solutions delivered

• Dipping, clearing and spelling facilities for livestock in transit.
• Health and safety legislative compliance.
• Improved animal welfare, environmental and biosecurity standards.

Disclaimer: Information on this page may change over the life of the project. Funding amounts referenced are as approved.