National Foods has announced the results of its six-month review of cheesemaking operations across Australia, revealing plans to consolidate Tasmanian operations at its Burnie site, close its Victorian locations and sell its South Australian sites. In Tasmania, the Kirin-Lion-Nathan owned dairy giant will invest $120 in its Burnie facility to produce all its specialty cheeses, transferring operations from its Heidi Farm site, and closing Kings Meadow over three years at a loss of 40 jobs. Only King... ...Read more »

Swift Australia today reopened its King Island abbatoir, with assistance from the Tasmanian state government. Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett said today the multi-million dollar upgrade of the King Island abattoir ensured a sustainable and long term future for jobs and the local economy. Mr Bartlett joined King Island Mayor Charles Arnold to officially open the refurbished Swift Australia abattoir and celebrate a new beginning for the plant which faced closure last year. “This vindicates the Government’s... ...Read more »

National Foods has announced it will undertake an extensive review of its cheese manufacturing operations across Australia. The announcement follows a string of redundancies, consolidations and closures by the company this year. National Foods said that the sites under review are Simpson and Campbellfield in Victoria, Jervois and Murray Bridge in South Australia, Kings Meadows, Burnie, King Island and Heidi Farm in Tasmania and Malanda in Queensland. National Foods’ cheese portfolio includes... ...Read more »

Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett yesterday advised of a $12 million rescue package that will “save every job at the King Island abattoir and ensure the long-term future of the renowned beef brand”. Mr Bartlett said the finalisation of the deal had been a long time coming due to a number of complexities. “I am particularly pleased that we have been able to deliver this community some good news before Christmas,” he said. “My goal was to save every single job and that... ...Read more »

Premier David Bartlett has confirmed the Tasmanian Government and JBS Swift have agreed on terms that will enable the King Island abattoir to re-open today. The abattoir, which processes the Island’s renowned premium beef, had been closed since last week when the owners stood down 100 workers without pay. The State Government has since stepped-in as the company is a major employer on King Island – where the population stands at around 1700. “My immediate focus has always been on... ...Read more »