January 20, 2026
A decision announced by Lactalis Australia on Tuesday to close its Parmalat dairy processing site at South Brisbane has been slammed by the union representing employees at the site.
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) was advised by Lactalis they planned to close their South Brisbane plant on July 10.
More than 200 workers will be directly affected by the closure as well as contractors.
AWU members have been producing dairy products at the South Brisbane site since 1937, including Australia’s first square milk bottles and UHT long-life milk.
Lactalis brands include Pauls, Ice Break, Oak and Breaka.
AWU Queensland state secretary Stacey Schinnerl said working with members at the site was her top priority.
“We are meeting with our members who are understandably very concerned about their futures, and our top priority is offering support to them and their families,” she said.
“We are very disappointed at this announcement and will be working closely with management to ensure our members are looked after as much as possible.”
Lactalis Australia CEO Mal Carseldine said processing would move to other facilities, both in Queensland and interstate.
Milk collected from Queensland dairy farmers is expected to be processed at Nambour.
The French-owned dairy giant closed its Rockhampton processing facility in 2020.
