The Australian Livestock Markets Association (ALMA) has commissioned a research project investigating the social value of saleyards to rural communities, with the Mount Gambier and District Saleyard to play a vital part in the project consultation.
Previous research has established that saleyards and livestock exchange facilities provide extensive economic value to regional Australia, however, this project will focus on measuring the social benefits that saleyards create in rural communities.
The project is being carried out at five sites across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
BlueWren Connections have been engaged to undertake the project and principal consultant, Heather Ellis, will be investigating three key areas to capture what sale days means to community members, service providers and saleyard stakeholders.
District Council of Grant Councillor, Barry Kuhl, presiding member of the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards Strategy Committee, said he was pleased that the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards were being represented in the research.
“Our saleyards are not only a place to buy and sell cattle but a place to have a yarn with mates, grab a bite to eat and head into town for some shopping.”
“This project will give us valuable evidence-based research that we can then use to further support our saleyard and its community moving forward,” he said.
People interested in taking part in an online survey can visit https://s.surveyplanet.com/N3wNxVYMa and/or attend a drop in interview at the saleyard meeting room from 7:30am -3:00pm Friday 10 September 2021 with Heather Ellis via zoom.
