Construction will soon begin on a new shelter for sheep and lambs at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange, marking an important milestone for one of Victoria’s leading regional saleyards.
Council last night approved the appointment of MKM Building Group Pty Ltd to lead the shelter project, following a competitive tender process.
Located in Huntly, the Bendigo Livestock Exchange handles approximately one million sheep and lambs each year, generating around $190M in livestock sales annually.
The Bendigo Livestock Exchange is one of Victoria’s four major regional saleyards and is currently the only one without covered holding facilities.
The new shelter structure, with soft flooring areas, will provide important cover over the holding areas where sheep and lambs spend most of their time while at the facility.
The project will improve protection for the animals from extreme weather conditions all year-round, further enhance animal welfare benefits and help futureproof the facility against the impacts of climate change.
The City of Greater Bendigo has advocated for funding support for the shelter for many years to improve animal welfare standards and help the facility adapt to changing climatic conditions in central Victoria. It will also enhance safety and comfort for staff, agents, contractors, and visitors to the facility.
Funding for the $3.4M project includes $1.7M from the Victorian Government and $1.7M from the City of Greater Bendigo. The shelter project is earmarked to commence works on site prior to Christmas and be concluded in mid-2027.
Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the shelter was an important milestone for the facility.
“It’ is great to see construction of the shelter project commencing soon, with this first stage delivering significant animal welfare benefits for the sheep and lambs,” Cr Prince said.
“A roof over the holding areas provides cover and protection for the animals all-year round. This is where they will spend the majority of their time at the Livestock Exchange.
“The project will also help the Livestock Exchange adapt to a changing climate and operate more efficiently. Infrastructure of this scale also presents opportunities for additional benefits, including water harvesting initiatives, and the provision for solar energy generation down the track.
“Providing overhead shelter for sheep and lambs has been a key priority for the City and all stakeholders at the saleyard for several years so this is a very positive step.”
Bendigo Agents Association President Nigel Starick said he was delighted a contractor had been appointed.
“This is a fantastic outcome to have the contract awarded for this project and construction set to begin soon,” Mr Starick said.
“It will see Bendigo back as a premier sheep-selling facility, one of the best in the country. This area of cover is the most important, in that it will have year-round protection from summer heat and winter rains. The welfare uplift for both animals and workers at the site will be significant. We cannot wait to see it start to come out of the ground.”
The Livestock Exchange contributes around $26.5M in annual economic output, supports 86 jobs, both directly and indirectly, and adds an estimated $13.7M to the region’s gross regional product.
The facility plays a vital role in Victoria’s livestock industry and food supply chain, helping ensure a reliable supply of sheep and lamb products to consumers while supporting regional businesses and employment.
