Agriculture
12 May, 2026
Saleyard roof ‘a winner’
CONTINUED investment to have Bendigo Livestock Exchange facility equal to other Victorian saleyards was vital for the future of Loddon primary producers, said Mayor Dan Straub.
CONTINUED investment to have Bendigo Livestock Exchange facility equal to other Victorian saleyards was vital for the future of Loddon primary producers, said Mayor Dan Straub.
Cr Straub said the Bendigo saleyards had lagged behind other regional selling centres despite calls from farmers and stock agents to put a roof over sheep holding yards.
He said last Friday’s pre-Budget announcement that the State Government would put $1.7 million into the first phase of the roof project was “finally an investment in supporting rural producers in the region”.
“Importantly, this can only help our Loddon graziers sending stock for sale at Bendigo, in fact an estimated 65 per cent of stock sold at the regional centre every Monday come from Loddon farmers,” he said.
The Nationals had committed to the project ahead of last year’s unsuccessful federal election tilt but the promise was not matched by the Albanese Government.
Premier Jacinta Allan issued a media release last Friday as the State Government continued to unveil pre-Budget announcements.
While the Bendigo saleyards are managed by City of Greater Bendigo, Cr Straub said they were the major selling centre for Loddon farmers and graziers across central Victoria. “The saleyards just happen to be in Bendigo ... but they are important to our Loddon economy,” he said.
The Government said it continued working with the City of Greater Bendigo as planning progresses for future stages of the upgrade. Ms Allan said: “Bendigo is at the heart of Victoria’s agriculture sector and we are making sure it can continue to support farmers and regional jobs.”
About one million sheep and lambs are sold through the exchange each year with sales totalling an estimated $190 million.
Funding for stage one of the roof redevelopment involves constructing a roof over all delivery pens.
The first work will cover about a third of the yard and with a capacity for 18,000.
“A roof ensures the long-term viability and success of the facility, will help reduce water used to clean the yards and provides future opportunity for added benefits like solar power generation and water harvesting,” Bendigo Mayor Thomas Prince said last week.
Read More: Loddon Shire