Susanna Freymark
I have chosen to write this as an opinion piece rather than an article. My reason for this is I have struggled to get information about the NRLX dispute even in its resolution. This opinion piece is an exit story on the dispute.
We need to talk about the NRLX and what happened between the Richmond Valley Council and the Casino Auctioneers Association – the problem is we’re not getting the full story – from either side.
I wish I could write that full story and tell the truth of what happened when the agents refused to sign the council’s new licence agreement and the saleyards closed for seven months.
The trouble is truth depends on who is telling the story – truth takes many shapes and there are different perspectives in this story including the council, agents, farmers, cattle buyers, business owners and the community.
I have struggled with a way to wind up reporting on the NRLX dispute. To find a way to draw a line under what has happened and move on.
The NRLX is open again and everyone agrees that is a good thing.
Unfortunately, much like a divorce, the community has been left scratching their heads and wondering what the hell happened.
My reading of people’s responses, whomever they supported in this, is that there is distrust and some bitterness about what happened.
I received this message from a community member:
“Has any detail been released on the arrangements with council and then the operators deal with agents? There was so much info when the agents and council were in ‘negotiations’ so I think it’s only fair that the final outcome is also publicised.”
I wrote this story about Outcross Agri Services who has taken on the NRLX lease.
Richmond Valley Council commented about the NRLX at the February 2o council meeting when Councillor Robert Hayes asked: What is the feeling out there about the NRLX?
Mayor Robert Mustow said he and general manager Vaughan Macdonald were invited by Outcross to the first sale back at the NRLX on February 2.
“The feeling was – we are relieved,” Mr Mustow said.
He said he talked to people and there were no issues.
“I’m pleased and happy it’s going again.”
Mr Mustow said it won’t take long for the NRLX to be at the top as a regional selling centre.
The NRLX agenda item at that council meeting noted that Outcross will lease the saleyards for five years with an option for a further five years.
“The details of the lease remain commercial in confidence” the report said.
The conclusion of the council report stated that:
“Council was obliged to pursue other options for the facility, following the continued refusal of local agents to sign licences to operate at NRLX. Transferring operation of the facility to private operators is in line with the management model for the majority of large saleyards across the country and will ensure cattle sales can continue, while the community receives a return from the leasing arrangements.”
Mr Mustow said because of the “boycotting” by agents in 2023, it was recommended at a meeting that the council withdraw from operating the NRLX.
“Council listened to this and continued to lobby for $5million (government funding for sewage works at the NRLX).”
“In last year’s agents’ agreement, it included clauses to lower the risk of animal welfare and OHS by non-council staff.
“I believe with Outcross this has been achieved.
“It’s a good result and everyone seems happy.”
What do the agents think about all that has transpired?
I spoke to Mark McCormack who is president of the Casino Auctioneers Association representing five agencies.
Mr McCormack was full of praise for Outcross.
“The process was open with genuine negotiation with all stakeholders,” he said.
“Outcross sat down with buyers and agents.
“Things are working very well. Outcross are good to work with because of their experience. They’ve been willing to work with us – and us work with them.”
“The licensing agreement with Outcross is a 22-page document, the one with the council was 47 pages,” Mr McCormack said.
One of the contentious issues of the new licence agreement with the council was that the council wanted to have its own livestock team handle the cattle post-sale.
Outcross has come to an agreement using some of their own team and some of the agent’s staff handling cattle once the hammer falls.
“We still have involvement in the post-sale movement,” Mr McCormack said.
“Our agreement with Tom (from Outcross) is we work together.”
Mr McCormack said the agents were overwhelmed by the support shown to them in the last few months.
About 600 people turned up to the first public meeting last year to discuss the NRLX dispute.
“The future is positive – we get to work with a company that has knowledge of our industry,” he said.
“It’s our third yarding (at the time of speaking) and we’re on track to 3500–4000 cattle in the last three weeks.”
Like many of you out there I have so many questions.
I want to know why an outside mediator wasn’t brought in to resolve the dispute. I suspect the history between agents and councils has created ‘bad blood’ and the relationship is irretrievable.
I’d still like to see the original licensing agreement the council put to the agents.
The council has said it’s happy with the current situation. The agents are saying the future is positive.
For the rest us – whether we are cattle farmers or not – we too need to accept there are many perspectives to this story and we will never know them all. As I go about my journalistic duties elements of this dispute continue to be discussed with me – “Off the record.”
It’s time to let go, move on, and embrace the new way of the NRLX working with Outcross.
I hope in years to come down the track when this dispute and seven-month closure of the NRLX is spoken about we nod our heads and say – “It was all for the best – it worked out in the end.”
and then