Narrabri Saleyards are a vital part of the economic fabric of Narrabri and district and the community must protect its asset, the Chamber of Commerce was told at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Narrabri agent Mr Michael Guest said the saleyards injected an estimated $25 to $30 million into the local economy.
“The saleyards are a service to rural ratepayers, like many other services to sectors of the shire community.
“The sales and support businesses see agents, buyers and vendors, truck drivers and about 15 people working at the sales each sale day.
“The sales bring producers from the district, with their family members into Narrabri to shop, have lunch and use town services.”
Mr Guest’s comments reflected concerns, shared by chamber members, that the value of the selling centre to the community may be under estimated.
Narrabri Shire Council is currently examining the operations of the selling centre. A business plan has been developed and circulated to agents and the council has held a workshop meeting to explore options for the way forward.
“A further workshop will be held” said the council’s delegate to the saleyards advisory committee, deputy mayor Cr Cathy Redding.
“No decisions have been made. A whole range of ideas have been discussed. Now that we have a business plan we can move forward and find the best outcome that suits everyone.”
Wednesday’s Narrabri sale underlined the economic activity the selling centre brings with it. The car park was filled with buyers’ and sellers’ cars from the district and further afield.
“People are here from Collarenabri, Bellata, Baan Baa, Burren Junction” districts” said Mr Guest. “We have buyers from Inverell, Manilla, and Moree filling orders from clients in south east Queensland and NSW.”
Apart from the selling centre’s service to the rural ratepayers and its economic value to the community, the centre could play a key role in an animal husbandry component of the proposed trades training centre, a chamber member suggested.