BOYANUP SALEYARDS
927. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the stalled lease
agreement relating to Boyanup saleyards between WA Livestock Salesmen's
Association and the Shire of Capel.
(1) As at 14 October
2022, has the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation signed off on
the effluent management upgrade of the saleyards; and, if so, on what date?
(2) If no to (1), when is sign-off
envisaged?
(3) What is the
status of all draft management plans relating to animal compliance at Boyanup
saleyards that have been referred to the Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development?
(4) What holdover
time allocation has been apportioned to the signing of a new lease on Boyanup
saleyards?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
(1) The WA
Livestock Salesmen's Association is working closely with the Department
of Water and Environmental Regulation on design options for upgrading effluent
management. The Shire of Capel will be given the opportunity to comment on the
preferred option once determined.
(2) The Shire of
Capel met with WALSA last week for a progress update on this issue and
considers the matter to be on track.
(3) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has provided comments
on four of the six draft management plans to the Shire of Capel. The
biosecurity and livestock standstill plans are still under review.
(4) The saleyards are currently operating under an
interim lease to ensure continuity of livestock sale operations.
Negotiations are expected to be concluded shortly and a new lease signed before
the end of the year.
WALSA has already made significant
changes to its operations to improve animal welfare management, including
earlier sale times to avoid the hottest parts of the day, reduced pen stocking
rates, data loggers in pens to monitor heat, upgraded access to drinking water
for animals, and stock inspectors and agency officers in attendance at each
sale.