{"id":369707,"date":"2026-03-03T12:53:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T02:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=369707"},"modified":"2026-03-06T14:05:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T04:05:51","slug":"major-upgrades-at-saleyards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2026\/03\/03\/major-upgrades-at-saleyards\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Upgrades At Saleyards"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mayor Kathy Duff cut the ribbon to officially open the major upgrades at the Coolabunia Saleyards … from left, Cr Heath Sander, Cr Jane Erkens, Cr Linda Little, Mayor Duff, SBRC Commercial Services co-ordinator Michael Hunter, Cr Danita Potter and Cr Deb Dennien (Photo: SBRC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 3, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett Regional Council officially opened major upgrades at the Council-owned Coolabunia Saleyards last Thursday morning.<\/p>\n

More of the old wooden catwalks have been now been replaced with steel; and safety upgrades and painting have been undertaken at the administration building.<\/p>\n

New holding yards have also been built with a redesigned system to ensure cattle move through the complex more easily.<\/p>\n

The project, funded through Council’s 2025-26 Capital Works budget, cost about $285,000.<\/p>\n

A Council spokesperson said the upgrades focussed on safety and animal welfare as well as the general appearance of the facility.<\/p>\n

“Council also recognises that this facility is a necessity for our rural community not just as a selling\/buying or biosecurity complex but more importantly a vital hub bringing people together,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

“This social aspect is particularly important to Council in maintaining the fabric of our rural community.”<\/p>\n

Mayor Kathy Duff said the saleyards were also significant when the flow-on affects were considered across the region: “the livestock agents, the transport operators, the farmers who grow crops and hay, the agribusinesses and those who simply depend on the saleyards as an outlet to market their cattle\u201d.<\/p>\n

South Burnett Regional Council has been investing in the saleyards in recent years after debates about its future in 2020 led to the formation of a council \/ industry working group to prepare an action plan.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last year, a security fence was installed around the perimeter of the saleyards, the truck wash was extended and double loading ramps were modified to meet workplace, health and safety requirements.<\/p>\n

Other recent improvements include 10 new catwalks (2024),\u00a0 new pens (2023) and water troughs and splityard gates (2022).<\/p>\n

More upgrades are planned at the facility over the next few years.<\/p>\n