$782,000 shade sails to keep Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets economically competitive

The shade sails were funded with $195,000 from the federal government's Drought Communities Programme and a further $587,000 from Dubbo Regional Council.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the project was a perfect example of what the programme was supposed to achieve.

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"It's a classic example of what the program's designed to do, locally procured, locally constructed, employing people to actually construct the sails, but leaving a long-term legacy and massive benefit to local livestock," Mr Coulton said.

"[The saleyard] is a large part of the economy in the Central West, particularly for Dubbo and the local regional council, this program is designed to put a stimulus into areas that are impacted by the drought."

Dubbo Regional Council's mayor Ben Shields thanked the federal government for the grant, saying that the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets make up a 'huge' proportion of the local government's economy.

"Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets actually makes up one percent of Dubbo's total economy, that's huge, the amount of money that the livestock markets actually put into the Dubbo economy is something that very few businesses are actually able to match," Mr Shields said.

"Having these shade sails is about animal safety and welfare, that is a must, but it is also making us more competitive as well, ensuring that Dubbo remains a focal point right around Western NSW as the number one place to sell your livestock."

Mr Coulton also indicated that further federal funding was on the way for drought hit communities, with a further million dollar grant already announced.

"We recently announced another million dollars to councils affected by drought and we look forward to seeing those projects coming through as quickly as possible, they are to go to shovel-ready projects that employ and procure locally and have a long-lasting legacy."

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