Charters Towers Regional Council owned Dalrymple Saleyards will close on 15 December for annual maintenance with the facility set to reopen on 3 January 2017.
During the closure period, a number of planned maintenance and works projects will be carried out.
These will include cleaning of manure from holding pens, resurfacing of holding pens with road base material, repairs to fence panels and gates in the area of the cattle receiving ramp and repairs to gate posts in the area of the middle weigh bridge.
Mayor Liz Schmidt said the maintenance work at Dalrymple Saleyards was an important part of the ongoing operation and safety at the Council facility.
“It has been a very busy year at the saleyards,” Cr Schmidt said.
“Dalrymple Saleyards have handled 62,987 head through the weekly sale process at the facility during 2016. Additionally 70,723 head of export cattle have passed through our saleyards.
“The total number of head that passed through Dalrymple Saleyards during 2016, to date, is 163,446. That figure also includes private treaty sales, transit cattle and stud stock numbers.
“With this sort of volume, the maintenance program Council has planned during the closure period is a vital part of the Saleyards’ operation.”
The weekly prime and store sale, held each Wednesday at Dalrymple Saleyards, is organised by the Charters Towers Combined Cattle Agents.
The last sale for 2016 will be on a date yet to be announced in December. This date will be influenced by the availability of cattle and prevailing weather conditions.
The first prime and store sale for 2017 will be announced by the combined agents and will also be influenced by the availability of cattle and weather conditions in January.
