Kyneton Saleyards will be cleaner and safer for people and animals, after Macedon Ranges Shire Council received a $878,500 grant through the Building Better Regions Fund.
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The funding will help the council with stage one of the Macedon Ranges Livestock Exchange and Truck Park project.
President of the Kyneton Livestock Agents Association Kieran McGrath is keen for the development.
Read more: Regional funding applications open
A new roof, better loading facilities, and showers for truckies will make the stockyards safer and more pleasant for all employed at the yards.
The Macedon Ranges Council expects the project to be complete in 2019.
Construction works are scheduled to begin in early 2019.
“All the agents are very excited with the prospect of a new facility, and when it opens,” Mr McGrath said.
“The saleyards are of major importance for the town.”
Macedon Ranges Shire Council will also provide a matching contribution of $878,500 for the project.
Works will include a new roof with solar panels, water harvesting and reuse from the roof, new fencing and upgrades to cattle loading ramps and walkway rails.
Soft floors and a roof will improve conditions for cattle, as well as creating a dry environment, safer for handling cattle, Mr McGrath said.
The improvements will make the yard safer for both people and animals, Mr McGrath said.
He hopes that the changes will mean the Livestock Agents Association will be able to influence sellers to bring more cattle for sale in Kyneton.
Macedon Ranges CEO Margaret Stork said the project would benefit the local economy as a whole.
“A flourishing and successful saleyards precinct will be of great benefit not only to the users and to the township of Kyneton, but to the wider region as well,” Ms Stork.
“The saleyards has been operating on its site for more than 150 years and these improvements will help us to ensure its ongoing viability in the long term.”