WARRNAMBOOL’S livestock exchange may be facing an uncertain future, but the city council is still herding profits from the operation with another surplus projected for next financial year.
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Budget papers for 2014-15 forecast the Caramut Road saleyards will generate $1.279 million revenue with costs estimated at $914,000 leaving a profit of $365,000 — down about $100,000 on this financial year’s expected $467,000 surplus.
Expected lower throughput is listed as a reason for the profit forecast.
The city council is continuing with its long-term strategy to cease running a municipal saleyards and move the operation into private ownership.
Regional Infrastructure Pty Ltd (RIPL) has been selected as the preferred party to build and operate a replacement regional livestock selling centre within 40 kilometres of the municipal boundary.
One option is that RIPL could run the city saleyards while it constructs a new facility.
In the meantime Corangamite and Moyne shire councils have also aired their desire to be involved in finding a new regional saleyards operator.
Corangamite Shire Council expects to make a $158,000 profit from its Camperdown saleyards after deducting $575,000 expenses from the $733,000 revenue.
Hamilton’s municipal saleyards are expected to turn in a $245,000 profit after operating costs of $1.12m are deducted from the expected $1.36m revenue.
A further $470,000 will be spent by Southern Grampians Shire Council on upgrading the facility.
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au
