Speak Up for Sheep and Lambs at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) –
BACKGROUND
The need for a Roof over the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) was formally identified back in 2019 at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange Stakeholder Future Forum. Yet six years on, nothing had been built. The repeated explanation? Lack of funding.
Meanwhile, opportunities to secure State and Federal support slipped away, largely due to a lack of urgency and prioritization by City of Greater Bendigo.
AND Project costs climbed from $12.9M in 2024 to $15M in 2025
Instead of progressing the full Project, Council announced in September 2025 the Project would now be delivered in 3 Stages. The first Stage 1 depending on a $1.7M contribution from Council to be matched by the State Government. No other details of Stage 2 or 3 were available.
In May 2026 Council announced State Government funding confirmed $1.75M funding with City of Greater Bendigo also committing $1.75M for Stage 1. At time of this announcement there were no timelines as to when the Project was going to commence or a timeline for completion instead an ‘advocacy document’ was being worked on with ‘hopefully’ details of Stage 2 and 3 being included.
AUGUST 2026 UPDATE – A tender we weren’t told about.
Almost four months have now passed since the City of Greater Bendigo announced on 1 May that the Victorian Government had committed $1.75 million towards Stage 1 of the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) Roofing Project.
When will Stage 1 commence and how long will it take to complete?
We first contacted Mayor Cr Thomas Prince on 13 July seeking an update. After receiving no response, we followed up again on 11 August.
A response was received on 17 August, but it still did not provide a commencement or completion timeframe.
Instead, we were advised that government funding does not arrive instantaneously and that contract negotiations, final designs and details associated with the State Government funding agreement can take time. We were also told Council may be restricted in what information it can release until it has approval from the State Government.
However, BAWCS has since discovered a significant piece of information that wasn’t mentioned in that response.
STAGE 1 HAD ALREADY GONE TO TENDER
While BAWCS was asking Council where the Project was at, Council had already progressed Stage 1 of the Bendigo Livestock Exchange Roof Project to public tender.
Tender WRKS0042 / VP516530 – Bendigo Livestock Exchange Roof Project – Stage 1 closed on 4 August 2026.
That is a significant Project milestone.
By the time BAWCS sent our second request for an update on 11 August, and by the time we received Council’s response on 17 August, the Stage 1 public tender period had already closed.
Yet it wasn’t mentioned.
And importantly, the existence of the tender wasn’t confidential information. The tender had been publicly advertised and was already in the public domain.
Council didn’t need to tell us who had tendered, what prices had been submitted or disclose commercially sensitive negotiations.
They could simply have said:
“Stage 1 has progressed to public tender. The tender has now closed and the procurement process is progressing.”
Why wouldn’t Council provide that information? It was exactly the type of update the community had been asking for and, importantly, it was positive news. It demonstrated that despite the lack of public updates, Council was actually progressing the Project in the background.
Instead, the response focused on funding processes, contract negotiations, final designs and restrictions around what information could be released.
This is where Council appears to be its own worst enemy when it comes to building community trust.
A Project that was actually progressing appeared to be going nowhere because Council didn’t communicate information that was already publicly available.
The community wasn’t asking for confidential information. We wanted to know whether the Project was progressing.
It was. The tender was public. Council could have told us that.
AND NOW OUR CAMPAIGN EMAILS ARE BEING CONSIDERED SPAM
Another concerning part of Council’s response related to emails generated through BAWCS’ Sheep Shelter Can’t Wait campaign.
The Mayor referred to the “format and volume” of campaign correspondence potentially being caught by Council’s spam filters and also referred to the “spam-nature” of those emails.
The purpose of a community campaign is to give people an opportunity to tell their elected representatives that an issue matters to them.
When numerous community members contact Councillors about the same issue, that volume is part of the message.
Given Council’s advice, BAWCS has now updated our Sheep Shelter Can’t Wait campaign for the community to email direct.
We are providing the individual email addresses of City of Greater Bendigo Councillors so community members can contact them directly and write in their own words.
Our updated template will remain available if you’d like to use it as a guide for your own personal email, rather than sending the campaign-generated version.
The message remains the same: the community expects this Project to remain a priority and expects to be kept informed about its progress.
Councillor email addresses: (As always, please keep all correspondence respectful).
Cr Thomas Prince Mayor – Email [email protected]
Cr Karen Corr Deputy Mayor – Email [email protected]
Cr Damien Hurrell Councillor – Email [email protected]
Cr Abhishek Awasthi Councillor E: [email protected]
Cr Andrea Metcalf Councillor – Email [email protected]
Cr Shivali Chatley Councillor – Email [email protected]
Cr Aaron Spong Councillor – Email [email protected]
Cr Owen Cosgriff Councillor – Email [email protected]
MEANWHILE, THE ANIMALS ARE STILL WAITING
Thousands more sheep, lambs and rams have continued to pass through the BLE’s uncovered yards, exposed to winter rain, freezing conditions and Sheep Graziers Warnings.
Animals remaining after a Monday sale can spend another night exposed, unable to seek shelter or graze. Many have already been off feed before arriving, and no feed is provided during their stay. Recently shorn animals and those arriving in poor condition are particularly vulnerable.
And winter isn’t the only concern.
Warmer weather is ahead and summer isn’t far away, bringing a different set of welfare risks for animals confined in uncovered yards with no escape from the sun.
Whether it’s winter rain and cold or summer heat, the need for shelter doesn’t disappear with the change of season.
While administrative and procurement processes continue, the weather doesn’t wait.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
BAWCS will continue seeking answers about the current status of WRKS0042, including when Council expects to award the Contract and when Stage 1 construction is expected to commence and be completed.
WE’RE NOT STOPPING AT STAGE 1
BAWCS will continue advocating for a roof over the Bendigo Livestock Exchange and we’re not just talking about Stage 1.
Stage 1 will cover only around one-third of the yards.
Stages 2 and 3 remain subject to future costings and funding, with no funding allocated to them in Council’s adopted 2026/27 Budget.
So while we welcome the discovery that Stage 1 has progressed to tender, it remains exactly that – Stage 1.
BAWCS’ campaign is about ensuring animals across the Bendigo Livestock Exchange have adequate protection from the elements. We will continue asking questions, seeking transparency and advocating for the entire Roofing Project to be completed.
A roof over one-third of the yards is progress. It isn’t the finished job.
Sheep Shelter Can’t Wait.
JULY UPDATE
At time of this blog entry, three months have now passed since the City of Greater Bendigo announced on 1 May that the Victorian Government had committed $1.75 million towards Stage 1 of the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) Roofing Project.
Despite repeated requests for an update, there is still no publicly confirmed start date for construction and no indication of how long Stage 1 will take to complete.
Meanwhile, thousands of sheep, lambs and rams have continued to spend another winter exposed to the elements in the uncovered holding yards at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange.
Throughout July, BAWCS documented the reality facing these animals.
- Bureau of Meteorology Frost Warnings were issued for the Bendigo region while thousands of animals remained penned overnight.
- Thick fog and freezing overnight temperatures settled across the district.
- Sheep were observed standing in muddy holding yards with no shelter from cold, rain or frost.
- Many animals would have arrived already having been off feed prior to transport and then spent Sunday night, and in many cases another night after Monday’s sale without access to feed, limiting their ability to generate body heat.
- Some animals arrived recently shorn, while others were in poor body condition, making them even more vulnerable to winter weather.
These are not isolated incidents. They occur every week during winter.
Council frequently promotes the Bendigo Livestock Exchange as a major regional asset processing around one million sheep and lambs each year and contributing significantly to Victoria’s economy. If that is the case, those animals deserve basic protection from predictable winter conditions while confined in Council-owned holding yards.
Importantly, Stage 1 will roof only around one-third of the facility. Animals will continue to be held in uncovered areas, while Stages 2 and 3 remain unfunded and are absent from the City of Greater Bendigo’s adopted 2026/27 Budget. There is still no guarantee the entire Exchange will ever be roofed.
For the animals standing in the yards today, the May funding announcement has changed nothing.
The community deserves:
- a confirmed commencement date for Stage 1;
- a construction timeline;
- a transparent funding plan for Stages 2 and 3; and
- a genuine commitment to completing the entire Roofing Project.
Until every animal confined at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange has access to basic shelter, the BAWCS “Sheep Shelter Can’t Wait” campaign will continue.
JUNE UPDATE
More than six weeks after the City of Greater Bendigo announced that the Victorian Government had committed $1.75 million towards Stage 1 of the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) Roofing Project there has been no public update on when construction will commence and how long it will take.
As a result, animals arriving at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) are entering another winter with no shelter to protect them.
This is particularly concerning given that Sheep Graziers Warnings are already being issued across Victoria, alerting producers to weather conditions that can lead to significant animal welfare impacts, including suffering and deaths of sheep and lambs. During these events, farmers are encouraged to take steps to protect their animals from cold, wet and windy conditions.
Animals held at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) do not have that opportunity.
Already having spent time off feed prior to arriving at the facility, they will not have access to food for over 48 hours meaning they will be unable to generate much needed body heat.
These are precisely the circumstances that have driven BAWCS’ Sheep Shelter Can’t Wait campaign.
While the funding announcement for Stage 1 was welcomed, significant concerns remain about the long-term delivery of the Project.
Importantly, Stages 2 and 3 of the Roofing Project are not included in the City of Greater Bendigo’s recently adopted 2026/27 Budget. This means Council will once again need to rely on securing additional external funding to complete the remaining stages of the project.
As it stands, there is no guarantee that the entire Exchange will ever be roofed.
Council regularly promotes the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) as a critical regional asset, processing approximately one million sheep and lambs each year and contributing significantly to the Victorian economy.
If the Project is as important as Council says it is, the community deserves a clear and transparent delivery plan, including confirmed timelines for Stage 1, identified funding pathways for the remaining stages, and a genuine commitment to ensuring the welfare of the hundreds of thousands of animals that pass through the facility every year.
Until the entire Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) Roof is install, BAWCS Sheep Shelter Can’t Wait campaign will continue.
MAY UPDATE
City of Greater Bendigo released a media statement confirming State Government funding of $1.75M guaranteed.
This announcement sounds positive, but it leaves out key realities. Stage 1 of the Bendigo Livestock Exchange Roof Project will cover only one‑third of the site. This is not the only area where animals are delivered and held, meaning many will still be exposed to the elements.
There is no confirmed start date and no timeline for how long construction will take, leaving animals without protection in the meantime.
Importantly, Stages 2 and 3 are only proposed and remain subject to future costings and funding. In other words, there is no guarantee the full facility will ever be covered.
While Council highlights the economic importance of the facility, its financial commitment to fully roofing it doesn’t match the rhetoric.
If this project is truly essential for animal welfare and industry standards, then partial, uncertain delivery isn’t enough. Pressure must remain on Council to commit to completing all stages, not just the first.
APRIL UPDATE
Cold weather warnings raise fresh welfare concerns
As we move deeper into autumn, warnings issued to sheep graziers about the risks of cold temperatures, rain, and strong winds will increase.
These advisories are clear, exposure to these conditions can lead to significant losses of lambs and sheep, particularly when animals are unable to protect themselves.
In paddocks, sheep at least have some ability to respond — they can move to shelter, huddle, seek windbreaks, and better regulate their body temperature.
But animals held at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange (BLE) don’t have that option.
Confined in uncovered holding yards, often for extended periods, they are left fully exposed to the elements, unable to escape wind chill, rain, or cold ground conditions.
This creates a serious and avoidable welfare risk, including:
• Hypothermia and chilling, especially in vulnerable lambs and recently shorn sheep
• Increased stress and exhaustion from prolonged exposure
• Greater risk of injury in wet, slippery conditions
These are exactly the kinds of conditions graziers are warned to protect their animals from — yet they remain a reality at BLE.
This is not unavoidable. It’s a gap in infrastructure that must be addressed.
The City of Greater Bendigo must prioritise and bring forward the Roof Project.
Please support BAWCS’ campaign — Sheep Shelter Can’t Wait.
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.
