History of The Livestock Centre

In 2001, The Authority presented the Minister with a Cabinet Submission on the relocation of Midland Saleyard.

The Submission demonstrated the feasibility of relocating the Midland Saleyard to a location in the Muchea area, 32 kilometres north of Midland. The site selected for the new facility was at the junction of the State's two major northern highways and connects well to all other major heavy haulage routes. On the basis of public consultation conducted to date, this location has support of industry, community and key government agencies in its ability to provide safe traffic flows, its compatibility with existing and envisaged future surrounding land uses and its commitment to meeting high standards of environmental and quality management.

In September 2003, Cabinet provided, in principle approval, for the Authority to establish sheep and cattle saleyards in the Muchea area, as a replacement for the Midland Saleyard. The Treasurer provided approval for WAMIA to undertake Stage 1 of the Project which included project scoping and budget (including liquidation of land assets).

In September 2004 after WAMIA submitted the Stage 1 report, the Expenditure Review Committee (ERC) and Cabinet provided approval for WAMIA to progress the relocation of the Midland Saleyards project to Stage 2 which would see the preparation of the Development Application (DA) and finalisation of the design of the new facility at Muchea.
WAMIA secured an Option with a landholder in the Muchea area to purchase 300ha of land adjacent to the junction of the Great Northern and Brand Highways in August 2004, this option was executed in August 2006.

In October 2006 following a significant increase in project costs, an independent review of the project was commissioned by the Department of Agriculture and Food and undertaken by GHD and Rider Hunt. The review verified that the cost estimates for the project reflected the overheated construction market where steel, labour and construction costs had increased significantly. Therefore in December 2006, State Cabinet approved continuation of the project to a cap of $30 million with remaining funds from Midland saleyard land sales to be used to fund improvements in Regional saleyards.