The failure of Federal and State Governments to provide short term funding to keep open the meatworks in Queensland’s Murgon Shire, has once again left Local Government to bear the burden of economic development. The closure of the local meatworks early this month has placed nearly 600 workers in the dole queue with possibly more to follow as the flow on effect comes into play.
Mayor Bill Roberts said the closure takes $18 million directly out of the local economy, which includes not only Murgon but also surrounding Shires. He estimates that the meatworks accounted for approximately 15 to 20 percent of the regional workforce.
“The failure to gain funding indicates that other spheres of Government are only paying lip service when they speak about listening to the plight of the bush,” he said. “They would rather spend $5 million on welfare than $2 million to keep people in a productive job.”
“It is a real battle to get things happening in rural areas and it is a battle to keep them happening.” “The meatworks took 40 years to get where it is. It had grown to the fourth largest in Australia, and now this happens.”
Council is still pursuing the issue, negotiating with Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests and Local MP, Warren Truss, to see if they can reach an agreement with the Administrator to purchase infrastructure from the meatworks with a view to reopening.
Mayor Roberts said the Shire has prior business experience running real estate and retail ventures, albeit not on this scale. Failing that, Bill Roberts is still confident that the Shire has the tenacity to overcome difficulties arising from the closure.
“We have done it before and we have heaps of options,” he said, citing the successful South Burnett Dairy Cooperative which markets Murgon cheese. He pointed out that the area is one of the most diversified primary industry areas in the country. “You name it, we grow it,” he said.
In just three years, at the initiative of Council, the area has become the largest wine producing district in Queensland with 12 vineyards, including one covering 220 hectares. Tourism initiatives complement the new industry perfectly.
It is also on target to be one of the major olive producers in the country. “Currently, 99 percent of the world’s olives are grown in the Mediterranean,” Bill said. “We are set to change that and produce a local product to match what we currently import.”
Mayor Roberts said he is still confident that the meatworks can be turned around, particularly because Murgon has the support of Local Government throughout the South Burnett area.
