WAMIA deputy chair and Saleyard Relocation Committee chair Malcolm Seymour said things were progressing well with the construction of the saleyards and although there were a few aspects being held up, the delay in opening was not due to construction issues.

Mr Seymour said the approval from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) was likely to be the reason for delays, but he was hoping for the best.

"The construction is all pretty well up to speed, the soft flooring is practically complete and we're just waiting for the electronic work on the drafts to be completed," Mr Seymour said.

"We're hoping for an opening just after Easter at this stage.

"We're currently progressing with the approval process from the DEC and we're a bit worried that things may be held up on that.

"We're anxious to get things underway and the DEC process is the only real reason that things might get held up."

Mr Seymour said staff training was also well and truly progressing, although it was a big job.

When the facilities do open, Mr Seymour said they would start with a full sale, most likely a cattle sale, and from that time on the Midland saleyards would be closed.

"We're not under any pressure to move from Midland but we don't really want to hang around any longer than we have to," he said.

"We don't want to be spending money on upgrades when we've got a world class facility at Muchea."