Glen Innes Severn Council is preparing for the official opening of the recently upgraded saleyards on Tuesday, December 8.
Already operational, the investment in the saleyards attests to the recognition of the local and regional merit of this popular facility and to the valuable ongoing role of agriculture in the New England region.
The upgrade of the sheep selling facility, the canteen, the new toilets and agents' room has provided council with significant future maintenance savings.
The facility continues to support 20 full-time equivalent jobs.
Support from agents allowed sales to continue through the rebuild, and with the disbanding of the Glen Innes Selling Agents Association, stock and station agents from adjoining areas are invited to sell at the fortnightly sheep sales.
"Council recognises that stock selling activity has increasingly moved to online selling platforms, however the upgrade of the saleyards is an opportunity made available through NSW State Government Drought Stimulus funding and represents council's commitment to the local agriculture sector by enabling continuation and growth, by investing in essential infrastructure," Graham Price, council's director of development, planning and regulatory services, said.
