Livestock agents stick with Stortford saleyards

REBECCA HARPER
Livestock agents operating from the Stortford Lodge saleyards have opted to stay put, but John Roil refuses to be deterred and says his new saleyards will go ahead.
Agents currently selling out of Stortford Lodge, owned by PGG Wrightson, are Elders NZ Ltd, Williams and Kettle, LI Redshaw Ltd, and Robbie Stuart & Co. They jointly opted to continue with the status quo.
The decision was made after five months' due diligence, investigating the feasibility of relocation to a new site owned by Hawke's Bay businessman John Roil, about 2km south on Maraekakaho Road.
They decided the proposed development did not offer sufficient advantages to warrant a shift from the current saleyard, and declined the opportunity to invest in the proposed facility.
A spokesman for the licensees, LI Redshaw Ltd managing director Laurence Redshaw, said taking an ownership stake would have provided certainty of access, but there were risks associated with such a major development on leasehold land.
"If we were to go ahead with a saleyards project we would prefer to own the land outright, rather than lease it," he said.
PGG Wrightson had also given its commitment the agents would continue to have access to Stortford Lodge.
Mr Roil said he was told by PGG Wrightson yesterday it would continue to use the existing site short term, but continue to look for a more suitable site between Hastings and Central Hawkes Bay. However, he did not consider it a closed shop.
"They've turned down a proposed option, so now we have to look at other options and think outside the square," he said.
"I wasn't surprised by Wrightson's move - they're the main shaker and all along they haven't been receptive to sharing ownership of the saleyards facility. This is just a delay tactic, it's in their interest to keep things the way they are."
He believed the decision blocked competition and he was sympathetic to the independent agents, who had always been tenants. The license period had been extended, but there was nothing to stop the rental from increasing.
Mr Roil said health and safety was an issue at Stortford. Four schools were close to the yards, heavy traffic in and out of the yards, and the safety record within the yards had not been great.
He already had resource consent for the new site, and it was near three large stock transport companies, and close to main roads.
Mr Roil said the Stortford Lodge sale yards could also become more expensive for all users as the owners must comply with Hastings District Council waste management changes this year.
He remained optimistic.
"It's just a dent in the armour. It's a hard nut to crack, but I'm not giving up - we'll just have to try a different tack."