Murray Goulburn closure rattles communities

The Victorian job losses total about 240, with about 135 to go when the processor's Kiewa plant, near Wodonga, is closed, and about 105 to disappear with the closure of a factory at Rochester, in northern Victoria.

Murray Goulburn will close a third factory, at Edith Creek in Tasmania, with the loss of 120 jobs.

Marcelle Brooks is used to seeing dairy workers pop by her general store after work, but this business may soon run dry.

Dairy giant Murray Goulburn announced on Wednesday it would close its Edith Creek dairy processing facility down the road from Ms Brooks’ store.

The closure will cause 120 job losses and could have significant flow-on effects for businesses and communities in the Circular Head region. Read more

For decades Kiewa Country milk cartons have graced store shelves, but Murray Goulburn will not guarantee the brand will continue.

In moving to close its Kiewa dairy, the food firm hinted the North East’s own brand, which adorns white, chocolate, strawberry and iced coffee cartons, would go. Read more

Local organisations have vowed to help the Rochester community in the wake of Tuesday’s announcement that the Murray Goulburn dairy processing plant would close.

Rochester Community House co-ordinator Amanda Logie, said the organisation would offer support to the affected staff and Rochester Business Network president Glenda Nichol said it would “respond to any need that arises”. Read more

Woolsthorpe dairy farmer Brian McLaren has been a loyal Murray Goulburn (MG) supplier but says that loyalty depends on its opening price for the 2017-2018 milk season.

Mr McLaren has remained with MG despite its big cut in the milk prices it pays him because he believes MG’s continued presence is vital to the Australian dairy industry. Read more