Bendigo livestock shelter roofs only a third of the saleyard in first build
Bendigo's $3.4m livestock shelter will cover only delivery yards in stage one. Two-thirds of the complex will stay exposed to weather.
The City of Greater Bendigo will start building the first stage of a $3.4m shelter at its livestock exchange before Christmas. Only the delivery yards will be roofed at first.
The state government put in $1.7m and the council matched it. Animal welfare groups worry the remaining two-thirds will stay uncovered.
Sheep and lambs can spend up to three days at the saleyard from arrival until sale. Without shelter, they face heat, rain, wind and cold.
Livestock agents at the facility want the entire roof done within a year. They say comparable yards at Ballarat and Corowa have much more coverage.
The council said delivery yards came first because animals spend most time there. But agents still want to push the government for stage two funding after the November state election.
- $3.4 million
- Total project cost
- One-third of complex
- Delivery yards coverage
- Up to three days
- Animal stay duration
- About 90 per cent
- Ballarat roof coverage
Why it mattersWithout full shelter, livestock endure poor conditions for days. Uncertainty over future funding leaves animal welfare workers unable to plan longer-term improvements.
AustraliaBendigo farmers and livestock agents face continued exposure of animals to weather at the saleyard, affecting livestock welfare standards across regional Victoria.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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