Police confirm disc

drives stolen before

Young abattoir crash

POLICE have confirmed that four computer hard drives worth $100,000 were stolen from the Young abattoir in the days before Burrangong Meat Processors went into receivership.

The hard drives were stolen from the main office between 10pm on Friday, January 29, and 7:30pm on Sunday, January 31.

Left: The Burrengong Meatworks abbattoir

at Young.
They contained information about the plant and are worth about $100,000.
The matter is under investigation, police at Young confirmed late this afternoon (Tuesday). No information about the thieves’ means of entry to the office has been forthcoming
Police at Young are asking anyone with information about the theft to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Meanwhile, pork producers in south-western New South Wales are scrambling to find new abattoirs to slaughter their pigs following the Young abattoir’s closure.

Burrangong Meat Processors was placed into receivership last Tuesday, leaving 310 employees without jobs.
It was the only meatworks in the region licensed to kill pigs for the export market.
Pig farmer, Ian Pollard, says producers will now have to pay more to transport their animals to alternative abattoirs.

“The local abattoir was just 30km down the road and now our nearest domestic abattoir is about 90km away, which is still not too far,” the UK website themeatsite.com quotes Mr Pollard.

“But Young was an export works, and if we want to go to an export works, our closest one is probably Benalla in Victoria, which is about 450km away, or we’ve got to go to Casino in northern NSW.”

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Aftermath of calamity

Sacked abattoir workers

look for jobs, seek welfare from Vinnie’s and Salvos

THE sudden closure of Young’s Burrangong Meat Processors’ abattoir has thrown up another facet to the town’s calamity – 12 to 15 overseas workers are not eligible for federal General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS) benefits and must find another job within 28 days.

The foreign employees, among 310 made jobless with the abattoir’s collapse last week, are holders of 457 Visas which enable skilled workers from overseas to work in Australia. They, too, have not been paid their final week’s wages or entitlements.

Parliamentary secretary assisting the State Minister for Rural Affairs and Primary Industries, Mick Veitch MLC, who is assisting Government action following the closure, says the Immigration Department has been apprised of the precarious position into which the shut-down has cast the overseas workers.

Left: Mick Veitch, Parliamentary secretary assisting the State Minister for Rural Affairs and Primary Industries.

Mr Veitch told CCN late this afternoon (Tuesday): “The placing of Burrangong Meat Processors into receivership is indeed a significant issue for Young. It is essential that the workforce receive all if their wages and any outstanding entitlements. The township is a very resilient one and I am quietly very confident that Young will overcome this major development for its largest employer. However, in the short-term, there is still plenty to do.”

Mr Veitch earlier told local media: “I hope things are moving in the right direction up there [Young].

“Immigration was in Young on Friday and my priority has always been to make sure this was dealt with promptly. I was glad to see that (Primary Industries) Minister (Ian) Macdonald was able to change his itinerary to be able to be here [in Young].

“At the moment, (ALP) Senator Ursula Stephens’ (Chair of the Rural Communities’ Consultative Council) office is working with the Department of Immigration to sort this out.

“The main thing to do now is to make sure no-one is left behind,” says Mr Veitch, a long-time resident of Young.

Meanwhile, sacked workers are applying for jobs at meatworks across Australia.

Abattoirs in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia have been advertising for workers in the local newspaper, The Young Witness.

Roger Newport from the Primo Australia abattoir in Scone has told regional radio he is looking for boners, slicers, and slaughtermen.

“We process about 600 cattle a day, two thirds of it is for the export market,” he says.

“We currently employ about 310 people and we're looking to grow and expand our business by another 30 per cent.

“The ad [in The Young Witness] only went in on Friday and we’ve had six people from Young who’ve already applied for positions.

“We’re planning to head to Young this week to conduct interviews.”

The former general manager of Burangong Meat Processors, John Patterson, an employee of 15 years’ service, was also made redundant last week. The father of three is searching for another job.

“Obviously it’s like a lot of other people: just find a new career path and see what’s out there,” he told regional radio.

Mr Patterson considers himself one of the lucky ones – he’s been contacted by other abattoirs keen to take him on.

But others aren’t so fortunate – many of the 310 sacked workers left without any pay or entitlements have sought immediate help.

The receiver for the abattoir, Alan Hayes of PPB, has told regional radio it could take months for employees to get their wages and entitlements.

“It can sometimes take up to four months,” he says.

“But I would think that the employees will get paid quicker through the GEERS scheme on this job than they would on many other jobs.”

Mr Hayes says the meat processing plant is a viable business. He has promised to find a buyer as quickly as possible, but warns the people of Young will have to be patient.

Welfare organisations in Young say there has been a huge increase in demand for food hampers and rent assistance after the workers were sacked.

The Salvation Army and Saint Vincent de Paul are meeting to discuss how they can cope with the need.

Laurel Merryn, from the Young Salvation Army, says the situation is expected to deteriorate in coming weeks as people struggle without money.

“We thought that maybe by combining our welfare resources we might be able to look at how we can assist as a group instead of individual welfare agencies to assist the people,” she says.

“Not every welfare agency can pay everything for everybody.”

Ms Merryn says Young’s real estate agents are also feeling the pressure as they must charge rent from people who cannot pay.

“We’re going to have people, if they can’t pay their rent, we’re going to have homeless people,” she says.

“In this town, we don’t have the resources to accommodate homeless people.

“We’ve had a huge run on food hampers for people to make sure their kiddies have got food.”

Manager of the local Saint Vincent de Paul’s store, Michael Holmes, says problems are compounded by delays in getting government help.

“They may be able to get a stop-gap payment from Centrelink, and that might go for a fortnight, then they’ve got to wait six weeks before they get on to a steady income again from social service, and that’s down to a minimum,” he says.

And a Sydney-based company wanting to buy the Young abattoir says it can negotiate what it will pay for the plant in the next 10 days.

Alex Khawary from Aus Pacific International Trade has told regional radio he is waiting for paperwork from the receivers this week before he can put a deal before the board.

Burrangong Meat Processors’ managing director, Grant Edmonds, says there has been interest from several companies, giving hope that the 310 redundant meatworkers may be re-hired.

And Young-based Nationals’ Senator, Fiona Nash, says she intends to meet the Mayor of Young, Stuart Freudenstein, on Thursday to discuss the situation.

Senator Nash says she has written to the (Deputy Prime Minister and) Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, asking for an assurance everything possible will be done to help the sacked workers.

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New feature for CCN

COWRA Community News (CCN) has introduced a brand new feature for your enjoyment. There is now a constantly updating Gardening Magazine for you. By clicking on the green menu tab to the left you will be taken to the magazine site or [CLICK HERE].

Articles from all over Australia and the world are available for you to read simply by clicking on the blue headlines as they scroll up. The click will take you directly to the article that you have chosen. When you have finished looking at that article, close the page by clicking on the red X in the top right corner and you will be returned to the magazine front page.

The latest Cowra Garden Club news will also be published on this page as it becomes available. The presentation of donations raised from the open garden weekend to Cowra’s community groups is featured today. You can also read about green caterpillars, articles on gardening publications and a former US president’s gardening passion.

Remember, the content is constantly updated so visit often to keep informed.

Advertising is available on this page. If you would like to advertise your business or service for very reasonable prices ring 041 742 3094.

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Prosecution for abattoir directors

had Govt enforced ALP workers’

entitlements policy – Rhiannon

DIRECTORS of the collapsed Burrangong Meat Processors’ abattoir at Young “would now be facing prosecution” had the Federal Government acted on Labor policy to protect workers’ entitlements, according to Greens’ MLC, Lee Rhiannon.

The town and district is stunned after 310 meatworkers were sacked on Tuesday when a deal to sell the abattoir to Chinese interests reportedly fell through and the company called in the receivers. The workers will not immediately receive their last week’s pay or their entitlements, says receiver PPB.

“The policy adopted at last year’s ALP conference sets out harsher penalties for directors of companies that go into receivership, without making provision for workers’ entitlements,” says the Greens’ industrial relations spokesperson in a statement.

“The failure of the Federal Labor Government to change the Howard regime on entitlements is why directors can still shut down their company without providing the required payouts.

“If [Deputy Prime Minister and Workplace Relations] Minister, Julia Gillard, had been committed to protecting workers’ rights, the directors of Burrangong Meat Processors’ abattoir would be now facing prosecution,” says Ms Rhiannon.

“The failure of Ms Gillard to act on her party’s own policy means that the 310 workers and the wider Young community face an uncertain future.

“The people of Young have a right to hear from Ms Gillard today.

“She should announce a plan to immediately guarantee 100 per cent of accumulated employee entitlements, and to provide retraining and re-employment to assist workers.

“In Australia, if a person loses their job they can also lose their entitlement – it does not matter how long they have worked. Germany provides government compensation of about 60 per cent of wages, and Denmark 90 per cent.

“The Government’s plan for Young needs to include funding for industries that will provide sustainable jobs growth.

“The potential for renewable energy production and manufacturing . . . is huge. The Government should be working on a transition program for the affected workers to ensure these sackings have minimal local impact,” Ms Rhiannon says.

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Govt certain buyer can be

found for Young abattoir

THE State Government says it is confident a buyer can be found for the Young abattoir.

Burrangong Meat Processors called in receivers on Tuesday, rendering 310 workers suddenly jobless.

Regional Development Minister, Ian Macdonald, this morning (Thursday) conferred with the abattoir owner, Grant Edmonds, to discuss options available to the company and its staff, regional radio reports.

Nationals’ State MP for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson, says she has asked the Minister to explore all avenues to keep the business operating.

Ms Hodgkinson says she is worried not all entitlements are covered, including superannuation.

“So we’ll keep working towards some resolution to that; obviously if entitlements don’t come forward that is an extremely unsatisfactory situation.”

Mr Macdonald says while the abattoir should be an attractive asset to any potential buyer, the main priority at the moment is the welfare of its staff.

“I believe that it will be sold in the not too distant future,” he says.

“However, the interests of the workforce are very important to us at this moment, so we’ve put a taskforce in there to assist them through this period.”

Federal Liberal MP for Hume and former abattoir worker, Alby Schultz, says when he was a meatworker, he just had to find other work.

But he says the Federal Government’s General Employees’ Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS), set up after the Cowra abattoir collapse, is comprehensive, including intensive job-search help.

“It’s up to three months’ unpaid wages for the period prior to the appointment of the insolvency practitioner, unpaid annual leave, unpaid long-service leave, up to a maximum of five weeks’ unpaid payment in lieu of notice and up to a maximum of 16 weeks unpaid redundancy entitlements,” he told regional radio.

“It’s up to the superannuation fund as to what entitlements they can get.”

Mr Schultz says finding a buyer for Young abattoir will not be easy.

“Some meatworks have significantly downsized their staff because we’ve been through a very difficult drought, things have become unviable for many of them, so it’s a combination of many, many things and I don’t think there’s too many people interested in buying abattoirs at the moment.

“Hopefully that’s not the case,” he says.

Fletcher International abattoir at Dubbo recently shed 300 casual jobs after protracted negotiations with the Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union.

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The unkindest cut

No entitlements for 310 axed abattoir workers

THE 310 workers left jobless after Young’s Burrangong Meat Processors’ abattoir went belly-up will not immediately receive their entitlements.

The workers were stood down on-the-spot when the plant went into receivership on Tuesday afternoon.

A spokesman for receivers PPB says the workers will not get their last week’s pay “at the moment”.

He says it will take some time before the money to pay out staff to be generated.

“What happens is there is stock and there are accounts receivable,” the spokesman told Sydney media.

“We will realise the stock and collect the accounts receivable and the employees will have first bite of the cherry over that.

“In the meantime, we organised for Centrelink to come up and assist them.”

The employees will be eligible for support from the GEARS scheme – a general employment entitlement redundancy plan.

The collapse of the business was due to a combination of reasons, the spokesman says.

These include drought, high stock prices, a strong Australian dollar and the company putting in a methane plant to aid its environmental compliance that cost more than the reported $4 million.

The receivers will advertise the assets and PPB has already been contacted by interested parties, the spokesman says.

The Mayor of Young, Stuart Freudenstein, say he is hopeful a new operator will take over the meat processing factory.

“Hopefully we can find another operator to run the abattoir,” he told Sydney media.

Cr Freudenstein says Young’s unemployment rate is low compared with other regional towns, but has grown by 1 per cent each year for the past seven years.

“Our local papers have a good sprinkling of positions vacant, so up until this happening, we’ve got a pretty healthy economy,” he says.

The Mayor’s son James, 34, is one of the workers affected by the closure.

“He’ll go wherever the work is; he’s quite prepared to move elsewhere if he needs to,” says Cr Freudenstein.

The business has also employed a large contingent of Afghan refugees.

“That was very successful, the community welcomed them and we have a multi-culture group that supported them and helped them assimilate into the community,” the Mayor says.

Meanwhile, the principal of meat processor Fletcher International Exports Pty Ltd, Roger Fletcher, reportedly says the sheep industry is changing and abattoirs need to change with the times too.

Mr Fletcher told regional radio that Burrangong Meat Processors had a unique business model.

“They are processing for other customers, and when there is a little shortage of stock and a strain on them it, would put a bigger strain on the company,” he is quoted.

“They are one of the only multi-species plants left technically, I suppose, in Australia, in a sense where they do sheep, cattle, pigs and goats. And I think that’s a difficult situation.”

Mr Fletcher says the abattoir at Young had its own set of challenges.

“They’ve been going for quite a few years, but we’ve got a very difficult time in beef processing and it’s a difficult time in sheep processing,” he says.

“We’ve (Fletcher International) made some changes of ours, cut our production back so we could manage it sensibly, and that’s what we’re doing and a lot of other plants have done that. Outside of that it catches them on the side.”

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Shonky batts installers

‘con residents, swindle

$1200 Govt subsidy’

RESIDENTS across the region should be wary of dodgy batts home-insulation installers, warns Member for Dubbo, Dawn Fardell.

The Independent MP says she has received complaints from residents after salespeople knocked on their doors and offered to provide a quote for the insulation.

She says the quotes are usually for $1200, the exact subsidy provided by the Federal Government. Homeowners sign up in the belief they will not be left out of pocket. The salespeople then ask homeowners to sign the quote.

Ms Fardell says residents aren’t given a copy of the paperwork which the installer then uses to claim the subsidy from the Federal Government, regardless of whether batts are installed.

“In one instance, the installers contacted a property owner in Gilgandra offering to quote for insulation in [his] rental homes,” says Ms Fardell.

“When the installer didn’t phone to complete the paperwork the owner contacted him and the installer said there had been enough batts on hand to complete the job and the tenants [had] signed off on the paperwork.

“As a result, the installer walked away with $8400 for throwing a few packs of batts into the ceiling of four of the houses and none in the other two houses.”

Ms Fardell says anyone considering insulating their home should contact a reputable local business rather than listen to dodgy door-to-door insulation salespeople who “are obviously targeting” western centres, including Mudgee, Gilgandra, Dubbo and Cobar.

“There is no obligation to allow traders into your home and anyone who feels threatened or unsure . . . should phone the police,” she says.

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