NARACOORTE REGIONAL LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:37): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question about a development in the South-East.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: Producers of livestock are familiar with the role played by saleyards as the specialised marketplace for livestock buyers and sellers to meet and trade. Can the minister advise the chamber of the improvements to facilities for such sales in the South-East?

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire: Heaps.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:37): That's right; the honourable member points out that there have been considerable advances, and this is yet another advancement that I know the Hon. Mr Brokenshire will also be supportive of.

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire: And Rob Lucas; he comes from there.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Absolutely. I am very pleased to be able to advise the chamber that, with assistance from the state government, the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange has been able to undertake upgrades. This 42-year-old facility, which is owned by the Naracoorte Lucindale Council, has been undergoing a major upgrade that has been undertaken in stages over five years, assisted by a grant of $200,000 from the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund towards phase 2 of this project development. The development of the exchange is ongoing for the period of its operation to ensure adequate levels of animal welfare and occupational health and safety standards for all user groups.

Phase 1 of the project was directed to water management and saving. It involved the upgrade of existing wash-down water treatment of trucks, collection of run-off from the new yard roofing, and treatment of storm and wastewater. Phase 2 has included a new electronic weighbridge and associated yards alongside the lead-up yard, where stock is separated from stockmen or drovers, with a series of pens and gates, for safety purposes.

The saleyard was established in 1973, and although it has been well maintained over the years we all know that equipment and buildings age, new technology becomes available and operational constraints and new initiatives emerge The redevelopment is expected to deliver productivity and efficiency improvements as well as making sure that the yards meet the needs of the industry. The new weighbridge and upgraded lead-up yards are designed to improve operator safety and animal welfare, with quicker throughput of cattle for live weight sales.

Double handling will be reduced, as will waiting times for transport operators, which in turn reduces fatigue issues for staff and means livestock spend less time in the yard. I am advised that the new layout helps both to reduce stress on livestock and to overcome some occupational health, safety and welfare issues; for example, the new weighbridge is much easier for workers in the saleyard to clean.

The exchange, which is a European Union and nationally accredited facility located five kilometres east of Naracoorte, plays a very important role in the Naracoorte community as well as the livestock industry. This upgrade will have a significant positive economic impact on the region. I am advised that, in the 2011-12 period alone, 105,000 cattle and 468,000 sheep were sold through this Naracoorte exchange, including livestock from New South Wales, Victoria, Northern Territory and Western Australia, at the value, I am told, of $135 million, making it one of the highest-selling livestock facilities by volume in Australia. I do not know whether the Hon. Robert Brokenshire knows that fact. He is nodding his head; he does know that fact. I am most impressed.

The total value of the livestock production, which includes meat, milk, wool and eggs, to South Australia last year was $2 billion. This project aligns with the state government's seven key priorities, in particular, with supporting businesses and regions in producing premium food from our clean environment. I certainly congratulate the Naracoorte Lucindale Council on its successful management of this important project and its vision in bringing it to fruition.