The Nationals WA have pledged $15 million of Royalties for Regions funding to construct a new state-of-the-art regional livestock facility in Boyanup – should they win government at this week’s state election.
Minister for regional development Terry Redman said the multi-faceted facility would handle the sale of more than 70,000 beef annually and had the potential to attract associated industries which would benefit from co-location.
“This secures the final piece of the state saleyard strategy that we’ve already invested in,” Mr Redman said.
Mr Redman instructed the South West Development Commission to undertake the land capability assessment process for site options in September 2016.
Nationals candidate for Vasse Peter Gordon said the $15 million announcement, made on Monday, would complement The Nationals’ $277 million commitment to agriculture.
“This facility will be the key to unlocking the growth of WA’s beef supply chain and will deliver significant flow on benefits to South West communities,” he said.
Last month, Minister for agriculture and food Mark Lewis pledged $2 million to acquire land for livestock handling facility that would replace the Boyanup Saleyards.
Liberal candidate for Vasse Libby Mettam said her party's plan to fund the new facility includes WA Meat Industry Authority Funds, proceeds from the sale of the Midlands Saleyards and potentially private investment.
"Royalties for Regions is not the Nationals personal piggy bank, it's taxpayer money.
“It’s good to see the Nationals finally supporting what is a key Liberal agriculture policy by supporting our regional saleyards strategy,” she said.
"There has been interest in partnering with commercial enterprise for such a facility and if we can attain this, that is a much better outcome than using additional taxpayer funds.
"Royalties for Regions is not the Nationals personal piggy bank, it's taxpayer money.
"If we can use state funds in concert with funds from the Midland sale plus private investment, that's a better outcome for the taxpayer."
Shire of Capel president Murray Scott said it didn’t matter if the new facility was government or privately owned as long as it was delivered before the current lease of the existing saleyard expired in 2022.
“We’ve been battling for this for nearly 20 years now, so as long as it gets done I’ll be happy,” he said.
“We’ve only got five more years here and it feels like we need to press the panic button.”
Mr Scott said land-use studies were being conducted at Malatesta Road and Lowrie Road, and the site had to fulfill a 1000-metre buffer zone from residential properties.
Ivy James
Journalist for Bunbury Mail, Australian Community Media and Fairfax Media
Journalist for Bunbury Mail, Australian Community Media and Fairfax Media
