Scone Regional Livestock Selling Centre project receives funding from Coalition's Building Better Regions Fund

04 Aug 2017

Fiona Nash

Minister for Regional Development

Minister for Local Government and Territories

Minister for Regional Communications
Deputy Leader of The Nationals

Barnaby Joyce

Deputy Prime Minister

Federal Member for New England

Leader of The Nationals

Scone Regional Livestock Selling Centre project receives funding from Coalition's Building Better Regions Fund 

 

  • Scone Regional Livestock Selling Centre project will become reality, winning $2.8 million from the Building Better Regions Fund 

  • Project beat hundreds of others from around Australia to win funding

  • Building Better Regions Fund making important dreams become reality for local communities

 

 

Scone will receive a boost following news that the Scone Regional Livestock Selling Centre has won funding through the Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, announced today.

 

Mr Joyce said the project would receive $2.8 million through the Coalition's Building Better Regions Fund, making the project a reality.

 

"Scone and the Upper Hunter will receive great benefits from this project, including an increase of throughput by 50,000 head per annum, an increase in returns for producers, agents and the Upper Hunter Shire Council; increased efficiency; reduced operating costs and an expected increase in turnover by $55 million per annum by 2028,” Mr Joyce said.

 

"Agriculture is worth $267 million to the Upper Hunter LGA, employs 1,200 people and is a major exporter. This project will provide a modern facility that ensures the facility remains operational and viable, and will continue to support jobs and the economy in the Upper Hunter region.

 

"We've fought long and hard for this project and it's so great to see it delivered.

 

"The Building Better Regions Fund received more than 500 applications and ours was one of about 100 which were approved.

 

"I congratulate the Upper Hunter Shire Council for their successful application and look forward to working with them to deliver benefits to the community of the Scone region.”

 

Upper Hunter Shire Council Mayor Wayne Bedggood said the funding would allow the council to build a state-of-the-art facility that would ensure the sale yards remain viable and operational.

 

“This funding assures the continued support of local jobs and economic development within the Upper Hunter region,” Cr Bedggood said.

 

“The innovative design and latest technology that will be implemented as part of the project will not only result in increased throughput, turnover and efficiencies, but will increase the safety and welfare for the cattle and staff working in the facility.”

 

The funding announced today will go towards completing the $7 million project, with the Upper Hunter Shire Council to provide the remainder of funds for the project.

 

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said she created the Building Better Regions Fund to help build strong communities for decades to come.

 

"I aim to help build the kinds of regional communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and projects like this one do exactly that," Minister Nash said.

 

“After a competitive merit-based selection process, there are always those who were not successful and are naturally disappointed. We know this and we've got dedicated staff in the Department of Industry to give tailored feedback to each unsuccessful applicant to help improve those applications for next time. They can be contacted on bbrffeedback@industry.gov.au."

 

Minister Nash said she expected to open another round of BBRF before the end of the year.

 

Minister Nash will announce the successful applicants for funding under the BBRF’s Community Investments Stream – for projects designed to support a range of local capability-building activities – in the coming months.

 

More information about the Building Better Regions Fund is available at: www.business.gov.au/bbrf

 

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