July 10, 2025
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff is still hopeful a buyer will come forward to take over the beleaguered Peanut Company of Australia processing plant in Kingaroy.
She spoke to southburnett.com.au following a meeting on Thursday afternoon with Bega Group CEO Peter Findlay, executive general manager Adam McNamara, group manager Christian Willmott and PCA’s Tobin Cherry.
On Wednesday, Mr Findlay announced that Bega would conduct a “phased shutdown” over the next 18 months of the PCA facility in Kingaroy.
The Bega representatives met with Mayor Duff and Council CEO Mark Pitt at the Council Chambers in Kingaroy.
Mayor Duff said Bega was “open to any offer” for the plant, and she was still hoping that someone would come forward.
In the meantime, the plant would be gradually wound up.
She said the closure had been planned in three stages, with the final stage ending in December next year.
Mayor Duff said the Bega representatives were “very concerned” about their employees and were hoping to work with TAFE to transition them into other jobs.
“They also want to hold a jobs expo in Kingaroy Town Hall to get other opportunities for their staff,” she said.
Mayor Duff said the Bega representatives had told her the workers would get support from Bega as well as their full payments.
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