Industry heavyweights have slammed the decision to upgrade the existing Warwick Saleyards site rather than relocate the facility as a "slap in the face" that could set the region's agricultural sector back decades. Southern Downs councillors voted for plans for the "major redevelopment and enhancement of the existing facility", which at $7.5 million would prove less extensive and cost half as much as either of the two masterplanned options. Designed to act as a communication point between SDRC and users of the Warwick facility, the Saleyards Advisory Committee spent years engaging with producers, agents, and other Queensland saleyards to reach the best solution.