Beef Farmers Lock Horns with Council Over Slayyards' Fate

Strategic Insights -

Cattle farmers on the South Coast are divided over plans to rezone land near Bega saleyards for new homes, with some fearing it would spell the end of the facility. The Bega Valley Shire council's proposal to rezone 279 hectares of vacant land at South Bega for homes, shops, and public spaces has sparked anxiety among farmers who rely on the saleyards. Despite concerns over biosecurity and the potential for residential neighbors, many are adamant that the saleyards must stay.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bega Valley Shire council's proposal to rezone 279 hectares of vacant land at South Bega for homes, shops, and public spaces has sparked a heated debate over the future of the Bega saleyards.
  • Farmers who rely on the saleyards are worried that an influx of residential neighbors could lead to the closure of the facility, which they say is essential for their businesses.
  • The saleyards provide a vital service to the region, injecting $25 million annually into the local economy, according to estimates from farmer Jen Wells.
  • Cattle buyers and sellers argue that the site is a strong asset for the Bega Valley and that updating the facility to modern standards is essential to accommodate the growing number of cattle being sold.
  • Biosecurity concerns are a major issue, with farmers and buyers worried about the potential for zoonotic disease transmissions due to the close proximity of high-density housing and the saleyards.
  • The Bega Beef Co-operative has started a Change.org petition to demonstrate the importance of the saleyards and to raise awareness about the impact of the rezoning proposal.
  • The BVSC's rezoning plan is on public exhibition until November 2, and the fate of the saleyards remains uncertain.

Statistics:

  • $25 million: The estimated annual injection made by the saleyards into the local economy (Source: Farmer Jen Wells)
  • 279 hectares: The amount of land proposed for rezoning at South Bega (Source: Bega Valley Shire council)
  • 2200: The potential number of new dwellings that could be built on the rezoned land (Source: Bega Valley Shire council)
  • 1600: The maximum number of cattle that can be housed at the saleyards on a store sale day (Source: Farmer Jen Wells)
  • 20 meters: The buffer zone proposed between the saleyard land and the housing development (Source: Farmer Jen Wells)

Sources:

  • Bega District News (October 21)
  • Change.org (Bega Beef Co-operative petition)
  • Bega Valley Shire council (rezoning plan)