Stakeholders, including livestock agents and buyers, were notified of the suspension of this week’s cattle sale on Monday.
Sheep sales are not impacted.
Berrigan Shire Council’s chief executive officer Karina Ewer said there were a number of workplace health and safety matters that required attention.
“Council is concerned, following a number of previous incidents including one last year, that it may not be providing a workplace that meets current WHS requirements,” she said.
“Council takes WHS very seriously and strongly believes it cannot allow the potential injury of workers to go unaddressed.
“Given cattle pose the highest risk to people working in close proximity, and the nature of the injuries previously sustained whilst working with cattle at the saleyards, council made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend cattle sales until it can assure itself it is meeting current WHS requirements.”
Finley’s saleyards are operated by Scanclear, the same operators of Deniliquin’s yards where cattle sales have not been held for several years.
Plans released by Berrigan Shire Council in 2020 proposed a $1 million upgrade of the Finley Saleyards.
Funding was secured later that same year for stage one upgrades totalling $563,000.
It included replacing overhead power lines on Hamilton St with underground connections, renovating two cattle forcing yards, ramp nibs and three sheep ramps that can be seen on the Dales Road side.
On March 1 this year, Berrigan Shire Council held a special meeting to vote on calling for proposals for the Finley saleyards.
The Southern Riverina News understand at least three parties have expressed an interest in either leasing or buying the complex and that this safety audit will assist the process.
Finley’s cattle yards have a capacity to yard up to 3000 cattle, however sales in recent years have averaged less than 400 per fortnight according to livestock agents.
Ms Ewer told the Southern Riverina News council was not yet sure of the quantum of WHS issues at the cattle yards.
A WHS audit of the site will occur on Monday, with a report to follow soon after.
Council will consider its options once it is in receipt of that report.
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