Up to 500 protesters gathered at Woodland Grove some from as far as Corryong, Mitta, Pleasant Hills, Urana, Holbrook, Tallangatta and Towong Hill.

Agent Peter Ruaro said the council’s plans to move the yards were “such a big issue, people have taken it to heart”.

Wodonga Mayor Cr Rod Wangman was an apology for the rally but councillors Brian Wicks and John Mahony and acting chief executive officer, Michael Gobel attended.

Albury-Wodonga Stock Agents Association president, Pat Kindellan, said Cr Wangman had passed on his invitation to Cr Wicks who had declined to speak at the rally.

The councillors were jeered by some protesters when they declined an invitation to speak towards the end of the rally.

Organisers circulated a petition asking the council to change its mind and they called for donations to a fighting fund.

Mr Kindellan said the agents preferred dialogue with the council.

He said the council ignored the protesters “at their own peril”.

“We believe today is very significant but we await council’s reply.”

Former Wodonga councillor and grazier, Les Boyes told the rally the plan to move the saleyards was “untenable”.

“It has been suggested that the Bandiana yards need upgrading; upgrade them by all means, particularly if they are bringing the city $700,000 or $800,000 a year.

“But the idea of moving them to the western end of town doesn’t make any sense at all.”

Barnawartha grazier Ian Lobban beat a throat infection by telling the crowd, through agent Peter Ruaro, that despite his location near the proposed North Barnawartha site that would save him on freight costs, the council needed to look at the big picture.

“How can we have the saleyards next to a food distribution centre, providing for an unwelcome impact on surrounding families and when the existing yards are close to most produ-cers,” Mr Lobban said.

Agent Stephen Paull said agents believed the council must have a hidden agenda “and they are letting the local people down again”.