QUEENSLAND government staff are on standby, ready to assist the Kingaroy community following the devastating Swickers Bacon Factory fire on Sunday.
State Development minister Anthony Lynham told Parliament today that support had been offered to Swickers’ parent company, SunPork, through 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 said.
“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 are talking to the South Burnett Regional Council and Swickers today. The Department of State Development is coordinating the response across government agencies.
“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,” Dr Lynham said.
Dr Lynham told parliament that while the fire had destroyed the boning room, chillers and export distribution centre, other facilities on site were unlikely to be damaged.
“At this stage, 150 workers directly involved in the fire-damaged part of their operations may be affected,” he said.
“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.
Meanwhile, federal Maranoa MP David Littleproud has also taken an active role in getting Swickers up and running as soon as possible by supporting the facility’s export accreditation reinstatement process.
“Today I spoke with SunPork Fresh Foods CEO Robert van Barneveld about the need to get a temporary boning room operational so Swickers can get back to full capacity and also get employees back in their jobs as soon as possible,” Mr Littleproud said.
“From these discussions, I’ve also met with the deputy prime minister (Barnaby Joyce) so we can all work collaboratively in order for Swickers to regain its export accreditation through the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, overseen by the agriculture minister’s department.
“I’m comforted by the fact that the Minister and his department will work with Swickers through any assistance measures it may need to get up and running again.
“This fire has been a huge blow in the lead-up to Christmas, one of the facility’s busiest times of year as Swickers not only is the largest pork processing facility in the Southern Hemisphere but also employs almost 600 people in the South Burnett.
“I, along with the whole community, am grateful no one was injured in this destructive fire and I also congratulate emergency services on their swift actions during this disaster.”
