Progress on a new roof over Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange is on track, with leaders expecting the $3.6-million project to be completed on schedule.

Manager Paul Christopher said contractors were building the roof in five stages and were on track to finish by October this year.

Work on the 23,400 square-metre roof, which features a sawtooth modular design, started in January.

Ballarat-based MKM Constructions is project contractor.

“It’s going really well,” Mr Christopher said.

“We have three stages of framework up and two of those stages have the tin on the roof.”

Mr Christopher said stage-four works started on Monday. 

He said Horsham Laser Electrical contractors had been installing lighting, with plumbers starting work on stormwater infrastructure.

The project boasts 500 kilolitres of water storage, LED lighting and 100 kilowatts of solar panels.

The project is designed to have various significant long-term benefits, including weather protection for livestock, staff, agents and buyers, improved livestock quality, carbon-emission reductions and reduced cleaning and maintenance costs.

The Horsham exchange is the fourth-largest in the state, behind Ballarat, Bendigo and Hamilton.

Mr Christopher said completing construction work in conjunction with livestock sales proved challenging, however he was pleased sheep and lamb sales could continue amid stage-three COVID-19 restrictions. 

Under measures to limit attendance at the site, the general public cannot attend sales, even if they are selling livestock.

“We haven’t been taking the restrictions lightly,” Mr Christopher said.

“Currently only abattoirs buyers are able to attend.

“We attract a lot of buyers from other areas, such as Melbourne, Geelong and Echuca. We want to keep them safe and also our locals.

“We are taking names and phone numbers of attendees, asking if they are well before they attend and so on.

“We appreciate people being compliant and still being able to run sales.”

– Sarah Matthews

The entire April 29, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire April 29, 2020 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!