Kempsey Regional Saleyards infrastructure upgrade

May 2025:

A cattle sale involving more than 2,800 head took place at Kempsey Regional Saleyards in early May, providing the first major test of some of the facility’s key infrastructure upgrades.

Several major improvements are now fully operational, including the new grandstand, selling arena, scale house, agents' stand, upgraded holding pens, double-storey truck loading ramps and a purpose-built S-shaped cattle run.

Construction is also progressing on a new roofed structure over the inbound and outbound holding pens.

Next to come online will be the upgraded amenities building and new canteen, both of which are nearing completion. Once the final sewer connection is in place and final finishing touches are complete, these facilities will be commissioned and opened for use.

This staged delivery approach has been essential to allow construction works to progress while keeping the saleyards fully operational throughout the infrastructure upgrade.

March 2024: The tender for the Design and Construction portion of the saleyards upgrade is put out to market. Mandatory tender briefing on 9 April.

August 2024: The Tender for Principal Contractor is complete, with the contract being awarded to the Van Mal Group.

November 2024: Work has begun at the Saleyards. The Contractor has mobilised the site and begun with demolition, bulk earthworks, stormwater, and in-ground services. The temporary Selling Arena and Agents Stand has also been completed. 

December 2024: Construction is progressing at the saleyards. Making the most of the fine weather, our contractors are pushing along with all in-ground services, including road crossings. Demolition and bulk earthworks have now been completed, enabling detailed excavation and concreting to areas such as the new kiosk, amenities, agent's offices, and grandstand. 

October 2023: The Northern Regional Planning Panel will meet in October 2023 to review the external planner’s assessment and recommendations on the Development Application, the NRPP’s determination is expected soon thereafter.

November 2023: The Development Application for the saleyards has been approved. Work onsite is scheduled to commence in early 2024.

Demolition of the old disused and damaged cattle yards was completed in 2022.

As of late 2022, design works are progressing well with concept sketches completed for the scale house, selling arena, canteen, grandstand and amenities and now waiting full endorsement.