By Jeremy Sollars
The Southern Downs Regional Council has opened a survey for users of the Warwick Saleyards to “express their opinions on the saleyards future management options”.
The council released a statement today, Monday 6 November, calling for saleyards users to complete the survey, which comes as the council assesses a tender from an unknown private party to potentially lease the facility and operate it privately.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for external leasing and management of the Warwick Saleyards opened on 30 May and closed on 11 July, with council announcing it had chosen a “preferred respondent” from among the outside parties who lodged an EOI.
The identity of the preferred respondent has not been publicly released and the council is yet to put a timeframe on a final decision on leasing out of the saleyards.
Mayor Tracy Dobie has previously stated that “while council has run the saleyards effectively to this point, professional experienced management is necessary to ensure best practice”.
This week’s statement about the survey said the survey “has been designed to obtain suggestions from producers, buyers, livestock carriers and other interested people on their vision for the saleyards”.
“Surveys can be filled out anonymously if you prefer or you can request that someone contact you regarding your suggestions.”
Surveys can be collected from the Warwick Saleyards, or users can contact the council on 1300 697 372 and a survey can either be emailed or posted.
Completed surveys are due back to the council by the Friday 17 November.
They can be returned by delivering them to the Warwick Saleyards Administration Building or to the Council Administration Buildings in Warwick, Stanthorpe and Allora, via email to mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au or post to P.O. Box 26, Warwick, Queensland 4370.
