Shade sails take LMC to next level

Published: 05 Mar 2021 8:37am

New shade sails recently installed at Wagga Wagga City Council’s Livestock Marketing Centre (LMC) have taken one of the best selling facility’s in Australia to the next level.

LMC manager Paul Martin said the roll-out of the first stage of the retractable shade sails provided significant and improved conditions over part of the new and existing sheepyards at the loading gates.

“This project is part of the sheepyard capability upgrade which provided us with the opportunity to install shade sails to the new and existing infrastructure,” Mr Martin said.

“It was also an opportunity to prove the concept of what we’re trying to achieve by providing shade sails while still allowing sunlight into the facility which provides necessary ultra-violet disinfection towards maintaining a healthy environment, and also provide comfort for the animals while they’re here.

“When the weather cools down and we want more sunlight it’s quite an easy job to retract the sails as required. We’ve worked closely with industry stakeholders, in particular the Wagga Selling Agents Association, and when the upgrade is complete our operation will be setting a new benchmark for selling facilities across the country to follow.”

Steel work and concreting to the sheepyards extension, installation of overhead waterlines and a new service road are almost complete.

The project is due for completion this financial year. Work on the cattle fan draft upgrade at LMC is also progressing and is due for completion mid-March.

Image: Livestock Market Centre manager Paul Martin (right) and chair of the Wagga Selling Agents’ Association Mark Logan check out the newly installed shade sails over sheep pens at the selling facility this week.