By Jeremy Sollars
A report from a meeting of the Southern Downs Regional Council’s Saleyards Advisory Committee held on Thursday 7 September will be presented to this week’s council meeting in Stanthorpe in a confidential session.
The 7 September meeting of the advisory committee is understood to have discussed Expressions of Interest (EOIs) received by the council for the potential leasing out of the Warwick Saleyards to a private operator.
Minutes of a Saleyards Advisory Committee meeting held on Friday 4 August, which were publicly released, note that council chief executive officer David Keenan advised the committee members it was “up to the committee to advise council what to do with regards to the EOI”.
The possible leasing out of the Warwick Saleyards to a private operator has been a hot topic in recent months, with many connected with the rural sector adamant the saleyards make a profit and should continue to be directly managed by the council.
The saleyards returned a $264,998 profit in the 2016/17 financial year.
This week’s council meeting will also formally note the reception of a petition from the community calling for the saleyards to continue to be directly managed by the council.
The council’s September general meeting will be held this Wednesday 20 September, at 9am, at the Stanthorpe Chambers on Marsh Street.
