Richmond Valley Council has released a statement about the NRLX dispute with agents. Here it is in full.
“Council has been informed that on July 31, 2023 many in our community received communications from the Casino Auctioneers Association Incorporated regarding the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange (NRLX) Agent Licence Agreement and expressions of interest process. Council has received a copy of that communication and is aware this document was also shared in full on local social media sites.
As General Manager of Richmond Valley Council, I will not be publicly responding to the allegations and assertions in those communications, except to note the claims contained numerous inaccuracies and, in some cases, are defamatory.
It is deeply disappointing that unjustified allegations continue to be disseminated within our community and it is unhelpful for Council to be continually drawn into debates about the inaccurate communications being circulated by other parties.
There is no requirement for any agency to trade at the NRLX facility if they choose not to do so and Council respects that decision.
We consider the licence offered to the agencies through the previous expressions of interest process to be fair, reasonable and competitive within the industry, with other interested parties now sharing that view.
The community made it clear during consultation in 2016 they wanted this facility to be part of our future and that Council was in the best position to attract and invest the level of capital required to achieve a high-class facility.
Since the completion of the infrastructure upgrade in 2019, the NRLX has rightly earned its place as the number two performing saleyard in NSW. Based on these results, I have every confidence in the management of this facility.
Council must levy fees and charges to fund the cost of operating and maintaining the NRLX and repaying the $3.5 million loan borrowed on behalf of ratepayers to contribute to the $15 million upgrade, secured through successful funding bids by Council.
We must also put funds aside for future asset upgrades and maintenance, like the $5 million grant we are seeking to de-sludge and renew the NRLX effluent ponds, so Council can satisfy the EPA’s requirements in our Environment Protection Licence.
The NRLX is not paying its way.
As has long been the case, the cost of owning and operating the NRLX is being subsidised by Richmond Valley ratepayers.
At a time when many local people are struggling, it is not reasonable to expect our ratepayers to continuously cross subsidise a multi-million dollar business.
In many regions of NSW, saleyards are privately-owned, profit-making enterprises. Council is simply seeking to break even, which the new fee structure aims to achieve.
Council has invested in the local beef industry by sourcing the capital investment required to upgrade the NRLX.
Now it’s time for the industry to respect that community investment by paying a fair share of the costs of operating the facility, with the NRLX fees in line with industry standards.
If local agencies do not share that view, that is their choice and Council respects their decision to withdraw from the NRLX. If an agency offered a licence wants to come forward with valid feedback on any licence agreement and fee concerns, as has been requested on numerous occasions, then Council will consider that feedback.
Over the past two months there has been plenty of comments about the NRLX on social media and beyond.
This has brought the NRLX to the attention of the industry Australia wide and, as a result, Council now has several interested parties who are keen to play a role in the positive and progressive culture we aim to build at the NRLX.
We will continue to negotiate with these parties to achieve the best outcome for our community, and in accordance with good governance.
I would like to thank all those members of the industry and our community who have contacted us to offer their personal support to me and our team during the past couple of months. I believe there are many in our community who share our vision for the future of the NRLX.”
Richmond Valley Council general manager Vaughan Macdonald
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