November 8, 2016
State Government staff are “on standby” for the Kingaroy community following discussions with Swickers about Sunday morning’s fire.
State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham told State Parliament on Tuesday that he had offered support to Swickers’ parent company, SunPork, in a post-Cabinet call to company chief Dr Robert van Barneveld.
“The bacon factory is one of Kingaroy’s major employers and it is critical to the local economy, and that is why we are offering to provide practical assistance to help get the factory back in full operation,” he told the House in a ministerial statement.
“We want to see this company get back to full production as soon as possible — for their workers, the farms and businesses in their supply chain.”
Staff from several government agencies were in Kingaroy on Tuesday talking to the South Burnett Regional Council and Swickers.
Dr Lynham said the Department of State Development was already coordinating the response across government agencies, seeking to fast-track processes to get the facility back to full capacity.
“My department’s staff will remain in daily contact with Swickers and, at the company’s request, return on Thursday after the company has been able to assess their needs,” he said.
Dr Lynham told Parliament the fire destroyed the boning room, chillers and export distribution centre.
“However, other facilities on site are unlikely to be damaged and the company is working to re-commence partial operations as soon as possible,” he said.
“At this stage, 150 workers directly involved in the fire-damaged part of their operations may be affected.
“This number may be revised, as the company has temporary chilling facilities available and are currently in negotiations to use alternative abattoir facilities.”
Dr Lynham will meet South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Keith Campbell later this week to identify further long-term actions needed to get the factory back to full operational capacity.
“I’d like to thank the management of Swickers and SunPork Group for their commitment to get the Kingaroy workforce back on track as soon as possible,” he said.
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