Council establishes Laidley Saleyards Working Group

Lockyer Valley Regional Council is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from local cattle producers to join a Laidley Saleyards Working Group.

The call out comes in response to community concerns and feedback about Council’s recent decision to close the Laidley Saleyards in June 2025.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said following Council’s announcement of its decision last month, Council has met with a range of stakeholders to discuss the matter.

“We have met with the cattle sales agent, the consultant and several local cattle producers, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, AgForce, and the State Member to investigate solutions that could potentially see a saleyard continue to operate sustainably within the region.

“The Laidley Saleyards Working Group (LSWG) has been established to discuss and explore a range of potential options to support the local cattle industry in response to the significant compliance issues identified at the site,” Mayor Milligan said.

Council voted at its August Ordinary Meeting to cease operations at the Saleyards due to the significant cost of addressing a range of compliance matters identified by external consultants.

Members of the LSWG will be asked to work together constructively and in good faith to develop and evaluate ideas that demonstrate consideration of stakeholders, reasonable use of public funds, long-term sustainability of a saleyard and the best interests of the Lockyer Valley community.

Members of the LSWG will be expected to:

• Have a strong working knowledge of the local and regional cattle industry and will be a regular user of a saleyard within the wider region;
• Maintain a solution-focused approach that seeks to balance and maximise outcomes for all stakeholders;
• Consider all ideas and the range of stakeholder perspectives;
• Accurately relay information to and from the community to minimise misinformation and misunderstanding; and
• Understand the LSWG operates in an advisory capacity to Council and does not have decision-making authority.

Council is seeking an EOI for a maximum of four (4) local cattle producers to work with Council and cattle industry representatives.

Interested parties should obtain and read the LSWG EOI form, available from https://lockyervalley.engagementhub.com.au/laidleysaleyards or Council’s offices, and complete the EOI form detailing how they meet the criteria.

The EOI will open on Friday 27 September 2024 and close on Sunday 20 October 2024.

“I want to reiterate that we are committed to working closely with key stakeholders to try to find a solution that supports our local cattle producers, and we will continue to investigate all reasonable options,” Mayor Milligan said.

For more information on the LSWG or the EOI process, please contact Council by calling 1300 005 872 or email engagement@lvrc.qld.gov.au.