February 23, 2022
A planned 40 per cent fee rise at the Coolabunia Saleyards has been deferred until next financial year.
The rise was approved at January’s South Burnett Regional Council meeting, with a 20 per cent fee hike scheduled to begin on February 1 and a further 20 per cent rise planned for the Council’s 2022-23 Budget.
The increase had been recommended by the Coolabunia Saleyards Working Group – a committee made up of Councillors and Council officers tasked with planning a future for the Council-owned facility – to help stem ongoing losses.
The group reported that over the past five years the saleyards lost an average $86,683 per year, which they attributed to its charges being less than half current industry averages.
However, at Wednesday’s General Meeting Councillors voted unanimously to overturn last month’s decision and defer any increase until the Council hands down its 2022-23 Budget.
The motion to shelve the rise was moved by Cr Kathy Duff and seconded by Cr Danita Potter.
“I believe we need to look at what we charge the agents for the use of the facilities, as well as the fees for sellers,” Cr Duff said.
“The agents are doing work at the yards on sale days that they don’t have to do at other yards, so I think we should sit down with them and work it out.”
Cr Scott Henschen agreed, saying he had attended a meeting of the working group last week and believed there was “still some work to do in this space”.
He now thought the best way forward was to defer any changes until the coming financial year so the issue could be re-examined during Budget discussions.
Mayor Brett Otto noted that a workshop to look at Council’s fees and charges has been scheduled for May 9.
He suggested that might be an appropriate time to revisit the matter.
The motion to defer any increases until next year’s Budget was carried unanimously.
- Related article: Saleyard Fees To Rise 40pc
