Grafton Saleyard Advisory Committee

Established by Council: 20 August 2026. Minute number 2026.527
Functional alignment: Works and Civil

Purpose

The Grafton Saleyard Advisory Committee provides balanced, evidence-based advice and recommendations to the Council on the strategic management, development, operation and long-term role of the Grafton Regional Livestock Selling Centre.

The Committee also facilitates constructive communication between Council, saleyard users, industry representatives and other relevant stakeholders. In providing advice, it considers the interests of facility users, Council's financial and asset management responsibilities, adopted Council decisions and strategic plans, and the broader public interest.

Alignment to Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 

Theme: Infrastructure

Infrastructure and facilities that are safe, accessible and serve the needs of the Clarence.

Membership

The Committee will comprise of no more than:

• Two Clarence Valley Councillors appointed by Council, one of whom is appointed Chairperson.
• Ten external stakeholder members, with up to two representatives from each of the following stakeholder category.

• Livestock producers
• Livestock agents
• Transport carriers
• Livestock buyers or processors
• Relevant industry or government organisations

At the 20 August 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting, the following two positions were filled:

• Chairperson – Cr Debrah Novak
• Councillor Representative – Cr Cristie Yager

External members are appointed by Council following an expression of interest process. Applicants need not reside in the Clarence Valley local government area, but must demonstrate a relevant connection with the Grafton Saleyards or the regional livestock industry.

In assessing nominations, Council will give regard to relevant knowledge and experience, capacity to contribute constructively, balanced representation across stakeholder categories, businesses and organisations, and the nature of disclosed interests and the applicant's capacity to manage them in accordance with Council's Code of Conduct.

Members are appointed until the conclusion of the Council term unless they resign or their appointment is terminated earlier by Council.

What the Committee does

• Provide strategic advice to Council on matters affecting the operation and future direction of the saleyards.
• Consider opportunities for infrastructure improvements and capital investment.
• Provide advice on priorities for capital works and asset renewal, having regard to adopted strategic plans, asset-management requirements and available funding.
• Provide feedback on industry trends, market conditions and emerging opportunities.
• Consider the needs of saleyard users including producers, agents, transport operators, buyers and service providers.
• Promote constructive communication between Council and stakeholders.
• Provide input to strategic plans, master plans and asset management priorities.
• Consider the contribution and long-term role of the Grafton saleyards as a regional livestock facility, consistent with adopted Council decisions and strategic plans.
• Support continuous improvement, animal welfare, workplace health and safety and operational efficiency initiatives.
  
  

What the Committee does not do

The Committee may provide advice and recommendations but does not direct Council staff, contractors or service providers, commit Council resources, make representations on behalf of Council or become involved in individual operational or customer complaints.

Meeting Schedule

The Committee will meet at least four times in each full calendar year, generally at a Council facility. A meeting may be held at the Grafton Saleyards where a site inspection or infrastructure review is required. Meetings are open to members of the public.

Upcoming meetings:

• 9 November 2026, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
• 8 March 2027, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
• 10 May 2027, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
  
  

Governance

• Terms of Reference(PDF, 188KB)
• Advisory Committee Handbook(PDF, 301KB)
• Code of Conduct
  
  

Want to join the Committee?

Council is seeking expressions of interest from people with relevant knowledge, experience or involvement with the Grafton Saleyards or regional livestock industry to join the Grafton Saleyard Advisory Committee as external stakeholder members.

Council is seeking nominations across the five stakeholder categories: livestock producers, livestock agents, transport carriers, livestock buyers or processors, and relevant industry or government organisations.

Applicants will be asked to nominate a stakeholder category, demonstrate their relevant connection with the Grafton Saleyards or regional livestock industry, and provide information about their knowledge, experience and capacity to contribute constructively.

Applicants must also disclose relevant business, employment, contractual, organisational and user relationships with the saleyards. This information will assist Council in assessing nominations. For appointed members, Council will maintain an internal register of disclosed interests in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.

A disclosed connection with the saleyards or livestock industry does not by itself prevent appointment or participation. Members remain responsible for disclosing and managing pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in relation to individual Committee matters in accordance with Council's Code of Conduct.

If you have questions about the Committee or the expression of interest process, please contact executivesupport@clarence.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6643 0200.