COUNCIL AIMS TO LEASE NRLX

By Tim Howard

The latest dispute over the management of the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange in Casino might be the last straw for owner Richmond Valley Council.

Failure of talks between the council and the five local stock auctioneers appears to have forced the council’s into reducing its role at the NRLX.

A report to Tuesday’s council meeting from council general manager Vaughan Macdonald recommended the council opt out of managing the facility and enter into a leasing arrangement on the open market.

A public meeting at the Casino RSM, called by local businesses seeking a resolution to the dispute which has halted cattle sales at the centre for nearly three months, first broached a possible lease agreement.

A motion from the floor advocated for industry representatives to take on the role after Mayor Robert Mustow told the meeting council was standing firm and the agents attempts to reach consensus failed.

In Mr Macdonald’s report to this week’s council meeting he agreed a solution had to be found

“Council now finds itself at the point where a long-term solution is required, to ensure that cattle sales can resume as soon as possible, and the NRLX continues to play a pivotal role in the regional economy,” he wrote.

“Accordingly, it is recommended that Richmond Valley Council now proceeds to an openmarket tender process, seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced entities to lease the NRLX facility for a long term period. In the interim, council will continue to explore avenues to re- establish sales at the facility.”

Between the September

4 meeting and this week’s council meeting the two parties could not find a resolution.

A leaked report of a meeting between the auctioneers, some councillors and local business people on September 14, called to discuss the progress of the the motions put to council at the September 4 meeting, revealed both sides were unwilling to compromise.

The agents revealed they were prepared to begin selling cattle at the NRLX on September 27, but Cr Mustow said he could not make any undertakings because the agenda for the council meeting was not finalised.

He said there would be an announcement at that council meeting.

It was also learned Mr Macdonald had met with agents Andrew Sommerville and Matthew McCormack and a further meeting with the Mayor was needed.

One attendee, Roger

Bailey, said the agents were prepared to negotiate on the 0.2% yard dues fee, but the agents were worried the council was “building an empire” at the saleyards.

The meeting raised the issue of council taking over cattle handling, but the mayor stood firm on this.

He said the council was confident it could attract suitably qualified people, including some of those already employed by the agents to do this work.

Businessman Allan Berry asked how long the council was prepared to keep a community asset like the NRLX closed when it was having such a detrimental effect on the community.

Cr Mustow, with backing from Cr Robert Hayes, replied the NRLX was not a community asset, but a council-run business.

They said it was on council land and was run along similar lines to council’s quarries.

The reluctance of the council to budge in negotiations has been matched by the level of support the community has put behind the auctioneers.

As the September 4 meeting revealed community support is solidly behind the agents, who have stuck to their guns in refusing the council’s offer.

The council report noted RVC has experience leasing out quarries which provide a return to ratepayers.

“Council has previously considered other operating models for the NRLX facility and it would appear that the beef industry is ready to take on a more active role in managing the facility.,” the report said.

“Throughout Australia, saleyards are moving away from small council-owned operations to regional facilities, operated by private entities.

“There are a number of specialist operators who would be well placed to take on the challenge of returning the NRLX to business and achieving continued growth so that the saleyard’s contribution to the Richmond Valley and Northern Rivers economy can continue.

“A lease could be structured, offered and negotiated to remove any financial burden on council and its ratepayers and provide a return on the asset to the community.

“Council has successfully leased its Peterson and Woodview Quarries along similar lines, ensuring a positive return to ratepayers.”

Because of its publication deadline, the Northern Rivers Times was unable to bring readers the result of this item at the council meeting and will do so next week.

‘In