Industrial action impacts on Saleyards Redevelopment

9 September 2024

Industrial action by Electrical Trades Union workers is causing weeks of delays and cost impacts on the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Redevelopment Project.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said the Electrical Trades Union’s decision to stage industrial action within Essential Energy has impacted subcontractor and machinery availability and cost the Saleyards project in the order of $12,000 in abortive costs so far.

“Industrial action will not only mean significant additional unnecessary costs, but it will also lead to delays in occupation of the new Saleyards facility,” Mr Johns said.

“Electrical work at the Saleyards as part of the Highway intersection works requires a whole lot of ancillary arrangements, including traffic control and the support of other skilled professionals. Each delay means all of those arrangements have to be rescheduled at extremely short notice, and all of this adds to the project cost.”

The Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Redevelopment Project is being funded through the NSW Government in partnership with Gunnedah Shire Council. It includes the new truck wash, a saleyards administration building with café and offices, a saleyards upgrade with new roof, and new technology. Work is expected to continue through to the end of this year.

The project will ensure the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards remain an important facility both to Gunnedah Shire and to the NSW livestock industry.

Caption: A panoramic view of work on the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Redevelopment.

ENDS

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