scone.com.auCouncil Responds to Saleyard Criticism
COUNCIL has responded to questions scone.com.au has forwarded to them regarding the saleyards their responses are highlighted in blue.
The responses are brief and raise further questions, which we have sent back to them and are highlighted in green as below:
- What protocols have these been modeled on? Please see attached Induction Handbook. (Available from Council).
- Have these protocols been based on a mine site, which has different requirements? No
- Why is Council out of step with the rest of the state in their approach? We are complying with the Work Health and Safety legislation. (The way inductions are managed is discretionary and not prescribed in the legislation, so why is Council taking a different approach to saleyards throughout the rest of the state).
- Will children who go to the saleyards to watch the sales in the school holidays no longer be allowed on the site? Yes they can, as a visitor and accompanied for those under 16. See handbook. (Available from Council).
- Will Council have to employ more people to hold inductions as required on an ad hoc basis on site? No
- How many inductions for each sale do Council anticipate and how many for special sales where people may come from interstate? You don’t need to do this every time. It’s a one-off for those inducted. (But you do need to do this everytime a new driver, buyer or user goes to the saleyards many of whom may only go once a year, so how often will the face to face half hour sessions be run? Each day that the saleyards are operational? Who will conduct those sessions and at what time?)
- Why has Council decided not to adopt the same approach as other saleyards, which are more flexible in how the induction occurs? Can’t speak for other sites, however I understand that other sites do have or are looking to implement induction processes. (What sites? Was there comparative research done? Why do users now say they prefer to go to Dubbo, Tamworth or Singleton because they have easier protocols?)
- Why are they insisting that a half hour face to face session is required? This is the agreed process at this stage. We are developing an online version to make it easier in future. (Why not introduce the system once the online system is available, instead of introducing a model which users say is unworkable?)
- Some users are saying they would now prefer to go to other saleyards to sell their cattle, has Council done a cost analysis on the implementation of the new policy? No. (Since there may be financial impacts on the Shire because of this new system, will you?)
- How will truck drivers use the effluent facilities if they are travelling down the New England Highway and no longer have key access to the Scone saleyards? They can still call in, but will need to be inducted. (what if it is after hours and they are from interstate. There seems to be an assumption that all users are local and regular, has there been any analysis on users of the saleyards to demonstrate this?)
- How will you regulate key access if you are taking all truck drivers keys out except the ones that have been inducted, what is the administrative cost ongoing of managing such a system? The AVDATA System we have in place manages this process. (Are staff required to input the data and administer the system? What extra administrative costs to ratepayers in terms of staff time will this incur?)
The Mayor is away on leave until 25 April 2016. (Is the Deputy Mayor available?) Council does not make any comment on what processes individuals have in place on their private business or land. (OK, we will email the questions directly to the Councillors). The Saleyards Committee, which includes agents, producers, transport and Councillors discussed and approved this process to occur.
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