{"id":362508,"date":"2025-07-10T16:32:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T06:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=362508"},"modified":"2025-07-10T18:19:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T08:19:14","slug":"mayor-still-hopeful-about-pca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/07\/10\/mayor-still-hopeful-about-pca\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor ‘Still Hopeful’ About PCA"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Christian Willmott (Bega), Tobin Cherry (PCA), CEO Mark Pitt, Mayor Kathy Duff, Bega Group executive general manager Adam McNamara and CEO Peter Findlay in Kingaroy on Thursday\u00a0 (Photo: SBRC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 10, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

She spoke to southburnett.com.au<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Mr Findlay announced that Bega would conduct a “phased shutdown” over the next 18 months of the PCA facility in Kingaroy.<\/p>\n

The Bega representatives met with Mayor Duff and Council CEO Mark Pitt at the Council Chambers in Kingaroy.<\/p>\n

Mayor Duff said Bega was “open to any offer” for the plant, and she was still hoping that someone would come forward.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the meantime, the plant would be gradually wound up.<\/p>\n

She said the closure had been planned in three stages, with the final stage ending in December next year.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“They also want to hold a jobs expo in Kingaroy Town Hall to get other opportunities for their staff,” she said.<\/p>\n

Mayor Duff said the Bega representatives had told her the workers would get support from Bega as well as their full payments.<\/p>\n

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