Central West Livestock Exchange Extension
Forbes Shire Council’s Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) is a state of the art facility purpose built for buying and selling premium quality cattle, sheep and pigs.
The decision was made to expand the cattle selling facilities in 2016 with capital improvements valued at $3.4 million commencing in 2018. The expansion is expected to be completed in the 2019/20 financial year.
Work has also been completed on the installation of a new dog run with water, shade and dog boxes for the benefit of truck driver’s dogs who would otherwise have to remain shut up in dog boxes under the truck. Planning is also underway to install shade sails throughout the sheep selling facilities with Council actively seeking funding options to undertake the work.
Continued upgrades of the facility with state of the art design have an ongoing animal welfare focus. An emphasis on user induction is also somewhat unique, in that every vendor and stakeholder that uses the facility understands their responsibilities in the areas of animal welfare and safety.
Dog Run
The purpose built yard provides shade, drinking water and an area for dogs to be kept whilst owners tend to the sales. The area can accomodate 10-15 dogs at any one time and provides a safe and secure area for the animals to wait out sale day. The temperatures can reach in the high 40's some days and previously dogs would have been locked in kennels on or under the truck.
Stock capabilities
The new facility accomodates for an additional 1200 head, taking the existing capacity from 1800 to 3000 head. The multi-purpose yards are suitable for sheep and cattle.
Carparking
The carparking area can accomodate 40 new car spaces and room for 9 B-Doubles.