A SHOWDOWN over the future of Warrnambool’s municipal saleyards is set to take place in council chambers tonight as figures supporting the status quo rally their support base.
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Outspoken councillor Peter Hulin has called on council chief executive Bruce Anson to make a public address explaining the financial ramifications of moving the saleyards from its Caramut Road site to a stand-alone regional location.
The council has agreed to the proposal in principle of relocation but no concrete decision has been made about where a new saleyards would be situated and when the municipal-run site will close.
Cr Hulin has also lodged another notice of motion calling on all councillors to meet with members of the Warrnambool Livestock Agents’ Association (WLAA) to discuss the future of the site.
The proposed motions coincide with advertisements published during the past week calling on people who support the saleyards being retained at the Caramut Road site to attend this evening’s meeting.
Under the headline “SOS: Save Our Saleyards” the advertisement calls on interested parties to attend the meeting and alludes to a contested omission of two notices of motion raised by Cr Hulin earlier this month.
Advertisements have also been broadcast on commercial radio.
Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh addressed an impromptu rally at the city’s saleyards earlier this month, with Mr Anson, Cr Hulin and his ally Cr Brian Kelson also in attendance.
More than 60 people attended the city council’s last ordinary meeting where the issue was last debated.
While most in the gallery remained civil throughout proceedings, there was some jeering towards the end of the meeting with Cr Neoh the main target of criticism.
Meanwhile, other issues addressed at tonight’s council meeting include an update on the Flagstaff Hill master plan, works at Station Street in Dennington, a proposed Liebig Street development and the latest on a proposed Lava Street pedestrian crossing.
A proposed memorandum of understanding between the council and South West TAFE will also be examined.
The council already has a formal memorandum with Deakin University, the Great South Coast Early Years Network as well as the South West Child and Family Service Alliance.
The Great South Coast Educational Attainment Project has also been slated for discussion.
The report will provide an update on work to address the low levels of high school completion and university enrolment in the region.
