General News
22 April, 2021
Polwarth MP excited for Mortlake saleyard growth
POLWARTH MP Richard Riordan visited Mortlake last Thursday to see the Western Victoria Livestock Exchange (WVLX) in action during the bumper April store sale.
POLWARTH MP Richard Riordanvisited Mortlake last Thursday to see the Western Victoria Livestock Exchange (WVLX) in action during the bumper April store sale.
Vendors and buyers packed the facility with 5277 head of cattle on offer.
Mr Riordon joined WVLX business development manager Colin Ryan, Moyne Shire councillor Ian Smith and WVLX director Brendan Abbey for an update on how the saleyards were performing and the future of the facility.
Mr Riordan said he was excited to hear about the plans for the continued growth of the livestock exchange.
“It’s great for Mortlake,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see the livestock exchange doing so well. It speaks to our big strength in Western Victoria which is that we have innovative and progressive farmers, which has driven the success of agriculture in the region.
“It just means the industry is here to stay.”
Mr Riordan said big investments were being made across the region from Geelong, Colac and through to Warrnambool in meat processes which showed the investment in the Mortlake facility was poised for success.
“Mortlake was chosen because it is a centre hub in a good distance to the whole meat producing region, so it’s a consolidated in a big industry which is going to be here for a long time so it is fantastic for the Mortlake and Warrnambool corridor.”
Mr Riordan said he was pleased to be able to visit the region more regularly after restrictions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic had complicated travel arrangements in 2020.
“I couldn’t get here last year after everything was shut down due to COVID and this is the first big store sale I’ve been able to get to so I’ve had a good update here from Brendan on the plans here and the future of the facility,” he said.
“I got a feel for the confidence which is going on in the region at the moment with a lot of happy farmers about so the region is doing really well.
“We’ve had a very farmer-friendly summer with no fires or droughts, and rain when people want it, so it’s been good.
“It’s not just the farmers who benefit from the success of the industry so there is a lot of confidence around, which is great to see.”
