August 17, 2017
The South Burnett Regional Council will call for tenders to take over the operation of the Coolabunia Saleyards.
The decision to put the saleyards out to tender comes after the Council received five expressions of interest when it issued a call for them last month.
At present, the saleyards are owned by the Council and operated by council staff.
Mayor Keith Campbell said while he recognised the saleyards play an important role in the region’s cattle industry, they were not really core council business and might be better managed by industry participants instead.
The Murgon Saleyards, which were once operated by the former Murgon Shire Council, were now privately run and seemed to be doing well, he said.
At Wednesday’s monthly meeting, Mayor Campbell said three of the five EOIs the Council had received were from operators who were interested in running the entire saleyards complex.
Council officers recommended these three be invited to tender for management of the complex.
Councillors agreed, and the decision was passed unanimously.
Tenders will be called in the near future once tender documentation has been prepared.
