What’s next, many people attending an informal gathering at the saleyards on Thursday morning asked?

Saleyards’ users and workers, business operators and residents are all concerned about the flow-on effect the sudden closure of the facility will have on the community and beyond.

MidCoast Council, which manages the saleyards, claim the yards pose a safety risk to the public and cited animal welfare also as a concern.

The council also will review use of the stockyards for other community purposes.

The agricultural show, campdraft and junior rodeo annually attract thousands of visitors and inject thousands of tourist dollars into the town.

"We have undertaken an independent audit on the condition of the stockyards at Nabiac Showground," MidCoast Council community spaces, recreation and trades manager, Dan Aldridge said.

"Unfortunately the audit report finds the facility fails to meet minimum requirements under the Australian Model Code of Practice for Saleyards, and the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Saleyards and Depots."

Mr Aldridge said the estimated $350,000 to bring the facility up to a standard for commercial use was not viable.

"Even if we could make the repairs, the stockyard would still need to be licenced by the appropriate authority to accommodate commercial livestock sales,” he said.

In the 22 years (Great Lakes) council has been managing and collecting rent from they saleyards they have spent very little on maintenance at the showground, Nabiac Show Society president, David Reeve says.

A State government grant last year enabled the showground committee to undertake much needed power upgrade.

Local stock agents, Gooch Agencies has already poured substantial amounts of money in the the saleyards constructing new holding pens.

We are prepared – at no cost to the council – to repair and replace yards where necessary, Mr Reeve said.

After obtaining three quotes for the repair work, it was estimated about $100,000 would complete the work needed.

Gooch Agencies has said it would foot the bill.

Agents yard between 400-500 head of cattle every month, with up to 350 buyers coming from as far away as Sydney and surrounding districts. 

The monthly farmers’ market  and goods and chattels sale also are held on the same day, making the Nabiac store sales one of the most unique and interesting livestock sales on the calendar.

“And those who do not have an interest in the stock ends up in the shops,” Mr Reeve said.

Ladies show committee president, Jean Paterson, who also runs the canteen, said the flow-on effect of the closure would extend as far as Forster.

“We buy our goods from Nabiac and hundreds of pies from Forster,” she said.

“I believe council has an ulterior motive,” daughter, Leonie Paterson said.

“It is not just us (Nabiac) who will be the losers but the whole of the Great Lakes. Council has not thought this through.”

A long-time user of the showground stretching back to childhood pony club and competing in riding events at the show, Leonie said: “I have done more work here than the council has ever done.”

Stock and station agent Dave Callaughan is puzzeled about council’s motive, saying it had only recently released the 2017 sales dates.

At the start of the year more than 250 head of cattle had been booked for the January 14 sale.

The MidCoast region is serviced by two licenced stockyards for commercial livestock sales, at Taree and Gloucester, Mr Aldridge said

Nabiac Showground is otherwise unaffected by this closure, with all other showground facilities remaining open, he said.

"Our main concern is to ensure public safety and the welfare of the animals, and the stockyards are not in suitable condition to ensure this" said Dan Aldridge.