Less than two years since Wingecarribee Shire Council opened the gates to the revamped Southern Regional Livestock Exchange (SRLE) cattle saleyard roofing enclosure, and the benefits are already speaking for themselves.
Officially opened by the Federal Member for Throsby, Stephen Jones MP in July 2011, the $4.8 million structure was fully operational just six months after work first began on the all–weather facility.
The 10,000 square metre roof, built with 150 tonnes of structural steel, now fully encloses the Moss Vale cattle saleyards.
Besides providing permanent coverage from the elements, the roof includes some of the most innovative energy efficient initiatives seen in such a regional project.
The design of the roof includes insulation from the heat and cold, solar panels which capture the suns energy, and the ability to capture, filter and store stormwater run-off to drinkable standards. During periods of heavy frost, the roof is able to capture up to 20,000 litres of water per day. In fact, the roof has the capacity to save some 1.8 million litres of water each year!
In addition, the energy efficient design of the facility allowed for a saving of some 70 tonnes of steel compared to a conventional design.
Whilst 60,000 head of cattle worth up to $35 million in trade already pass through the facility each year, the construction of the roof will enable an extra 20,000 head of cattle to pass through; a target Council’s SRLE team have firmly in their sights.
“The benefits the roofing enclosure has brought to the Shire’s regional economy have been enormous,” said Andrew Murdoch, Council’s Coordinator in charge of the facility.
“Not only have we increased cattle numbers through our gates, but we’ve attracted stock from neighbouring regions including Braidwood, Goulburn and Camden.
“But just as important, we’ve increased the comfort and safety for all our guests, staff and even the livestock that visit the yards,” Mr Murdoch said.
“It really has transformed the facility into one of the premier saleyards in the state.”
$4.1 million in funding for the project was secured via the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. At the time of assembly the SRLE roofing project was one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in the Wingecarribee Shire. The project was
undertaken by contractors National Buildplan.
The Southern Regional Livestock Exchange is located at 550 Berrima Road, Moss Vale.
