Richmond Valley Council signs Armidale company to run local saleyards

A Northern NSW council has copped backlash over its announcement of awarding the management tender of their multimillion dollar saleyards to a nation-wide saleyard service provider.

NRLX buyers at the NRLX weaner sales before the saleyards were shut down in July.

Months of squabbling between Richmond Valley Council and local livestock auctioneers over the closed Casino saleyards has seemingly been put to bed after the management tender was awarded to a national saleyard service provider.

Armidale-based outfit Outcross Agri-Services Pty Ltd were announced just before Christmas as the multimillion dollar facility’s managers for the next five years, with an option to extend their role for an additional five years.

This comes after packed community meeting outcomes in September went ignored by the council in efforts to get cattle back and being sold at Casino by local auctioneers and generational workers.

Public forum organiser Alan Berry (speaking) at the "Putting the Beef back in the Beef Capital" on September 5 where primary producers and sale yard agents were pressuring Richmond Valley Council to have cattle sales back at NRLX in Casino.

Casino cattle producer and businessman Allan Berry told the Northern Star he didn’t think Outcross had come up with a deal with the local agents yet.

“This really concerns me,” he said.

“I guess once the agents actually have a talk with them and if they sort out something with them ... well I mean, I just want to get cattle back there (NRLX). That’s the main thing.”

Mr Berry said the announcement timing isn’t great and he’d be arranging talks with auctioneers early in the new year.

NRLX in Casino before the shutdown.

Nigel Ellevsen, of Woodleigh Santa Gertrudis stud near Woodenbong told the Northern Star his grandfather, father and now himself, have always sent cattle to the Casino complex.

“I believe Casino Auctioneers Association Inc (CAAI) should have been awarded the tender,” Mr Ellevsen said.

He said he wasn’t surprised they didn’t win the tender after their standoff with the council.

“Outcross are not aligned with the agents that sell in this region and it makes me anxious, angry, and disappointed about whether we will ever sell there again.”

The Northern Star contacted Outcross for comment but the company did not respond to questions.

With no information about Outcross’s plans for the NRLX , Mr Ellevsen said this is “exceptionally disappointing” because NRLX is the best-selling centre within nearly four hours of his property.

It is also the second busiest cattle selling centre in NSW.

George and Fuhrmann auctioneer David O'Reilly at the NRLX before the site was shut down.

“The CAAI were amazing in communicating what was happening in the process with the dysfunctional, toxic, s--tshow of Richmond Valley Council’s attempt to impose a dictated list of demands on how the complex would be run without any negotiation,” Mr Ellevsen said.

He said the whole Casino region including council has lost millions over the stoush.

“I’ve spent nearly $2000 extra in transport since the shutdown in July.

“I know people from Woodenbong who regularly stayed in Casino, did their shopping, got their hair cut, went to cafes and shops and basically injected money into Casino for major sales that were held there.”

He said the financial impacts on Casino have been substantial.

“Let’s be honest, Casino can’t afford to lose the business that these sales generate.”

Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange NRLX at Casino.

Richmond Valley council said council had worked hard with all levels of government to support the local beef industry.

“Council has a vision for this facility to continue to grow as a modern saleyard for the benefit of all stakeholders and ratepayers, which meets industry standards for safety, animal welfare and environmental management and continues to achieve top returns for vendors and quality cattle for buyers,” a council spokesman said.

“Having Outcross Agri-Services on board to guide the NRLX’s next phase is a win-win for all stakeholders and we look forward to supporting its transition into the Richmond Valley local economy.”