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Wangaratta Saleyards might have a new roof and better conditions for cattle, producers and agents, but the organisation still needs its own redevelopment.
The 36,000 head of cattle which went through the facility during 12 months of renovations was viewed as too low for everyone.
But the unpopular co-operative model put forward by administrators, where members would hold shares and a board would govern operations, appeared unlikely to be the answer.
Councillors will face the challenge of coming up with a new method.
South ward representative Harry Bussell said the performance of the saleyards had to be measured and someone held responsible.
“I’m not sure what form that’s going to take, there needs to be an independent management team,” he said.
“A co-operative is not going to fly I don’t think … it has to be run like a business.”
North ward councillor-elect Harvey Benton agreed, saying a saleyards was a complex facility and needed to be run by people with specialised knowledge of the industry.
Infrastructure services director Alan Clark had previously admitted the council needed outside expertise.
“In principle, I’ve got nothing against a co-operative, but I don’t think it was implemented or sold well – it was disruptive to the people around the saleyards,” Mr Benton said.
“I think it’s dead in the water from my point of view.”
He was open to suggestions as to the right answer but said it should involve agents and producers, perhaps in a committee of management under council ownership.
“It’s a facility that Wangaratta cannot afford to lose,” Mr Benton said.
“It can’t go on the way it is.”
Calculations made by the council when pitching the co-operative included a goal of 50,000 head of cattle going through the saleyards by 2025.
Chief executive Brendan McGrath said the council would take advice from its agriculture and agribusiness advisory committee when coming up with a new idea.
“We’re open to alternatives, we think the current model could be improved,” he said.
“We would like to see more head of cattle through there.”
