Help shape the future of Hughenden Saleyards
Published on 28 September 2026
Flinders Shire Council is inviting producers, transporters, agents, potential operators and facility users to participate in a structured workshop on the future operation of the Hughenden Saleyards and Dipping Facility.
The workshop, Help Shape the Future of the Hughenden Saleyards, will be held on 12 October 2026 from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm in the DEC Meeting Room.
The session will focus on the services the facility should provide, appropriate service levels, maintenance and infrastructure responsibilities, and the principles of a sustainable future commercial arrangement.
Council Chief Executive Officer Kylie Davies said the engagement would help Council test the practical requirements of a future operating model before returning to the market.
“The Hughenden Saleyards and Dipping Facility provide important services for producers, transporters and the broader livestock industry, including livestock movement, biosecurity, weighing and spelling services,” Ms Davies said.
“Council wants the next operating arrangement to be workable for everyone involved.
“A future operator must have a reasonable opportunity to be appropriately remunerated for the work, responsibility and risk involved, including appropriate incentives for reliable service and sustainable growth in facility use.
“At the same time, Council must receive an appropriate return from a publicly owned asset so that it can contribute to maintenance and future infrastructure investment.”
Council previously determined that it would not proceed with the evaluation stage of the former procurement process and would instead refine the commercial arrangements and clarify the facilities and operational footprint before developing a new process.
Kylie Davies said Council had heard the concerns raised during the earlier process.
“Feedback included concerns about commercial viability, the division of maintenance obligations, the available operating information and the relationship between the saleyards, dipping facility and associated infrastructure.
“The workshop is not about unpacking the former process. It is about learning from the experience, getting genuine community input and getting the foundations of the next approach right.”
The workshop will consider:
- essential services and minimum service standards
- biosecurity, animal welfare and operational reliability
- operator and Council maintenance responsibilities
- operator remuneration and possible performance incentives
- Council’s return and future infrastructure reinvestment
- access and interaction with adjoining or associated facilities
- risks that should be addressed before a new procurement process
People who cannot attend will be able to make a written submission until 20 October 2026 by emailing ceo@flinders.qld.gov.au
Council will publish a summary of the principal themes received and explain how they will inform the next stage of the process.
To register, please email flinders@flinders.qld.gov.au.