SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council has installed a $122,000 livestock loading ramp that will increase safety considerably for users at the Warwick Saleyards.
SDRC mayor Peter Blundell said the Warwick Saleyards had been extremely busy, having processed cattle and sheep with a stock value turnover of over $46 million in the last financial year.
“The newly installed double ramp incorporates operator walkways and a circular crowding yard,” Cr Blundell said.
“This allows livestock to be loaded and unloaded without having transport drivers in livestock raceways, meaning they are completely separated from the livestock.
“With the volume of livestock coming through the saleyards, cattle will jostle in the yards but the new loading ramp means that the animals are contained and restricted due to the sheeted enclosure.
“The crowding gate and a switching gate allow an operator to easily divert livestock from one deck to another, creating a far more efficient and safer operation.
“It also ensures there is little chance of backlogs of livestock awaiting loading and unloading,” he said.
SDRC applied for Federal Government funding under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (administered through State Government Department of Transport and Main Roads) to secure 75 per cent of the costs of this project, with SDRC funding the balance.
Council has also allocated $100,000 in its 2014-’15 budget to further improve safety at the saleyards with work to include improvements to the walkways, stairs and construction of chemical and hay storage facilities.
