THE first stage of the redevelopment of the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange has delivered on its promise to reduce its water take from the aquifer.
Two years ago, the Naracoorte Lucindale Council completed a $4.5-million infrastructure project to put a roof over the cattle selling pens, new wastewater run-off and water catchment facilities.
It has now reduced its annual water take from 52 megalitres to 30mgL.
The federal government provided a grant for $1.85m under the Water for the Future initiative through the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns with the balance of the infrastructure cost upgrade to be recouped in yard fees.
Naracoorte Lucindale Council director of operations and technical services Steve Bourne said one of the NRLE's key focuses was environmental sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment.
The yards require significant amounts of water for its seven-truck wash bay, livestock drinking water and water to clean down the yards.
Much of it is now provided by the rainwater catchment on the 12,000-square metre roof which encloses 162 selling pens, 80 bull pens, the receival yards and weighbridge area. The yards are also working smarter, utilising effective washdown procedures.
"We have EPA requirements because of our proximity to town and drawing down on the aquifer. We see it as our responsibility to reduce the amount of water we are taking to protect the future resource," Mr Bourne said.
"We also want to improve the quality of the water we are putting out on the paddock so we don't end up with sour patches of land."
All the wastewater is treated in the facility built by Adelaide company Factor UTB .
* Full report in Stock Journal, July 24, 2014 issue.