Upgrades to the Emerald Saleyards bring an all-weather friendly environment to staff and livestock and the weighbridge capacity is set to double in 2018.
Concreting of the crush yard and delivery lanes and pens were completed last week. Valued at $100 000, the works were funded under Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program.
The upgrades come after $80 000 of capital expenditure works, including storm water drainage and concreting of eight pens, were completed mid-December.
Further works include upgrading the existing half deck weighbridge to a full deck set up. Partially installed in the third December week, it is expected to be completed and operational by end of February.
Emerald Saleyards Coordination Committee Chair Councillor Christine Rolfe said it’s good to see continuous improvements to the saleyards.
‘It’s all about safety and efficiency at the yards,’ she said.
‘The concreting will make working conditions much easier and safer in wet weather, both for people and livestock, being less slippery in the wet and less dust in the dry.
‘Having a full deck weighbridge means we’ll be able to process larger volumes of stock quicker, which is a great efficiency saving.’