A new report shows the Coolabunia Saleyards could be costing South Burnett ratepayers as much as $120,000 a year.
This is $20,000 a year more than 2017, despite a bumper cattle market.
The figures were revealed at Wednesday’s Community Standing Committee meeting after Cr Danita Potter asked how much income the South Burnett Regional Council currently receives from the facility.
Officers reported that in April, the Council earned $10,680 from the saleyards through sales fees, cattle dipping, tick inspections, weighing and yarding.
However, officers also reported that over the past five years the average cost of running the saleyards has been $22,000 to $23,000 a month.
Communities general manager Peter O’May said in terms of income and expenditure, the saleyards was a marginally unprofitable operation.
Its year-to-date income was currently about $160,000 and expenses over the same period were $175,000.
But Mayor Brett Otto noted that when depreciation was taken into account, the true cost of running the facility was much higher than those figures suggested.
The report on the saleyards’ finances was accepted without further comment.
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