Speak Up for Sheep and Lambs at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) –
BACKGROUND
The City of Greater Bendigo originally committed $3 million to roof BLE, but progress stalled while Council sought additional State and Federal funding. In September 2025, Council rescoped the Roofing Project into three stages, allocating $1.7 million to Stage 1 for the holding yards. A positive step in principle… BUT Council still plans to rely on partnership funding that won’t be available until after the next Victorian State Election in November 2026.
That means more than another year of animals left exposed, despite knowing these conditions can be fatal. This is unacceptable. How many more animals must suffer before the City of Greater Bendigo acts?
The holding yards must be roofed urgently and your voice can drive change.
MARCH UPDATE
Summer is over but the risks to animals at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) remain.
The first Sunday of March was horrendous for animals that were penned in the uncovered yards with a Severe Weather Warning for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall issued, with heavy rainfall forecast to continue through to Monday, the day of Sale.
Why is this an animal welfare concern?
Standing in the open for hours, and into the night, in wet, cold conditions is extremely stressful and harmful to these animals.
Prolonged exposure, especially recently shorn sheep, can lead to:
- Hypothermia and chilling, especially in lambs and young stock
- Stress and exhaustion from being overcrowded and unable to shelter
- Increased risk of injury from slipping or jostling in wet yards
This is not just uncomfortable, it’s a serious welfare concern.
These are sentient animals, not commodities and conditions like this are entirely preventable. City of Greater Bendigo needs to bring the Roof Project forward.
Please support BAWCS Campaign – Sheep Shelter Can’t Wait.
FEBRUARY UPDATE
Summer is here, and with it comes a surge in preventable animal welfare issues.
Sheep, lambs and rams penned in the uncovered holding yards at Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) face extreme heat stress leading to suffering including death. Animals spend all day Sunday and overnight until Monday’s sale, and for those not transported offsite, another night in the same conditions awaits.
Recent developments:
BAWCS had formally approached Council to explore whether emergency or alternative funding options could be investigated particularly in light of other livestock exchanges opening their yards to protect animals during recent fire events, rather than waiting on future State funding rounds.
The Mayor has confirmed Council explored these options, but that no suitable programs were identified, as existing funding mechanisms do not currently cover a Project of this scope.
BAWCS has since put forward an alternative proposal and is awaiting a response.
We thank Mayor Cr Thomas Prince (Lake Weeroona Ward) for continuing to engage with BAWCS on this issue.
🚨 The holding yards must be roofed urgently — and your voice matters.
📧 Email Councillors today
Locals can select their ward councillor or the Mayor.
Not a local? No problem, simply select any of the Councillors from the drop down menu when sending your message.
This is solvable. The harm is preventable. The time to act is now.
JANUARY UPDATE
During recent Victorian fires, some saleyards stepped up to protect animals:
- 🐄 Euroa Saleyards became a sanctuary for livestock evacuated from the Longwood fire zone.
- 🐎 Yea Saleyards was officially listed as a relief location for large animals, ready to support those affected.
Now imagine if BLE had a roof. A roof would protect animals every Sheep Market and in emergencies, turning BLE into a facility that can truly respond when it matters most. It’s not a luxury, it’s preparedness, responsibility, and basic animal welfare.
The City of Greater Bendigo originally committed $3 million to roof BLE, but progress stalled while Council sought additional State and Federal funding. In September 2025, Council rescoped the Roofing Project into three stages, allocating $1.7 million to Stage 1 for the holding yards. A positive step in principle… BUT Council still plans to rely on partnership funding that won’t be available until after the next Victorian State Election in November 2026.
That means more than another year of animals left exposed, despite knowing these conditions can be fatal. This is unacceptable. How many more animals must suffer before the City of Greater Bendigo acts?
The holding yards must be roofed urgently and your voice can drive change.
Email Councillors today – you don’t have to be a local – simply select any Councillor when sending your message.
Please use the email template below to contact Councillors and urge them to deliver urgent protection for animals, rather than waiting for the outcome of the 2026 Victorian State Election. You’re welcome to use the template as written or personalise it, just please keep messages respectful.
