A COMPANY behind a proposed $10 million livestock selling centre near Garvoc project has revealed it is prepared to be patient with Corangamite Shire Council and not risk rejection as happened in Warrnambool.
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Gippsland-based Victorian Livestock Exchange is discussing its project with shire leaders with the hope of gaining planning approval to build state-of-the-art yards for rural districts from the eastern side of Warrnambool to Colac.
"All aspects have to be carefully considered particularly in light of what happened at Warrnambool," VLE spokesman Greg Walsh told The Standard this week.
"We don't want to rush it.
"It will proceed when the shire is comfortable with what's proposed.
"For now we are involved with the shire in quite detailed discussions on how the project might best proceed.
"The planning application will be part of that."
Mr Walsh said the company had received good support from the livestock industry for its Garvoc site following the abandonment of an earlier site near Cudgee.
VLE first hoped to pursuade both Warrnambool City and Corangamite councils to close their municipal yards in favour of the company's proposed Garvoc complex.
It later purchased land near Cudgee to be closer to the Warrnambool farm catchment region.
However, its approach to the city council to have the Caramut Road municipal yards closed triggered strong opposition from stockagents, farmers and business operators which resulted in the council deciding in March to keep its yards and investigate a suitable alternative.
VLE then decided to head back to its original site, disappointed in how its hopes had gone sour.
The company is still confident it can reach its target of 100,000 head annual turnover from the eastern and northern catchment districts.
Corangamite Shire Council sustainable development director Andrew Mason said discussions were at an early stage.
"We are very open to the proposal of having a regional saleyards within the shire," he said.
"But nothing has been put to the council.
"We haven't received a planning application to consider."