Located on the Central Tablelands of NSW, the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange (CTLX) has represented a significant improvement on the old saleyards at Orange, Bathurst and Blayney. Through incorporating best practice design features and sustainable management system, saleyard conditions have been improved for the benefit of livestock, agents, buyers, transport operators, producers and the bio-physical and social environment.

The CTLX incorporates design features that maximise both occupational and public health and safety, and animal welfare, whilst minimising impacts on the local environment and protecting local amenity values. The efficient yard design saves time in the processing and handling of stock, offering clear advantages for buyers and sellers.

CTLX has been designed for minimal visual impact on the natural environment, with low profile buildings nestled into the undulating terrain. Incorporating principles of ecologically sustainable development, the CTLX has been designed to maximise stormwater collection and reuse. CTLX has been designed to only draw from the municipal water supply about the same amount of water as a single home. This represents a saving of 29 million litres of water for the Bathurst, Blayney and Orange communities.

Water is collected from the pavilion roofs and piped to a 5.5 ML clean water pond. This water is then used for watering stock, dust control in the cattle pavilion, and truck washing. Effluent from the truck wash passes through a trap to remove solid matter and then to a 2 ML pond for anaerobic treatment. It is then pumped to a 15 ML wet weather holding pond for aerobic treatment. The treated effluent is then used for pasture irrigation.

Surface runoff is drained to a 3 ML purpose-built wetland where sediment is settled and nutrients are removed by the vegetation. During construction the wetland was utilised as the main sediment trap and its efficiency was demonstrated by a thorough water testing program.