South-west council mayors have called on the state government to ease coronavirus restrictions at one of the region's major employers, the Midfield Group.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They say Midfield's Warrnambool abattoir employs about 900 people and the company has been proactive in keeping its operation COVID-19 free.
The state government currently requires all Victorian abattoirs - including those in regional Victoria under stage three restrictions - to operate below capacity with staff numbers limited to 67 per cent of their daily peak and daily total workforce capacity.
Warrnambool mayor Tony Herbert, chair of the Great South Coast Group, said the company had been forced to close on Wednesday this week as a result of the coronavirus restrictions - despite Midfield not being consider a hot spot and Warrnambool not having an active COVID-19 case.
Cr Herbert said operating at a reduced capacity had the potential to have a detrimental effect on the region's economy.
"The restriction on Midfield is not justified at this time," he said.
"The company has been extremely proactive in ensuring it is a COVID-19-free workplace.
"A fortnight ago we saw Midfield take a responsible course of action in closing for three days so that every staff member could be tested for coronavirus."
Cr Herbert said all staff were virus free after a meat inspector who had visited the Warrnambool site subsequently tested positive.
"We are not na've enough to think that there would never be a positive test into the future but right now there is no need for Midfield to be have the same restrictions that are being applied to processors in COVID-19 hot spots elsewhere in Victoria," he said.
"Midfield is essential to the region's agriculture sector which, thankfully, had been performing well in the middle of the global pandemic.
"Agriculture is a central plank in the region's economy and a top quality meat processor is vital to its continued success.
"Much of the finest, cleanest and most naturally grown food is produced in this part of Australia and Midfield is a vital link in getting the region's produce to market."
Moyne Shire mayor Daniel Meade called on the state government to to reconsider the virus restrictions at Midfield, as the largest meat producer in the state and one of the largest employers in south-west Victoria.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has already hit our local businesses hard, particularly now as they navigate through a second stage three lockdown," he said.
"Surely consideration should be given for those businesses who are not in hot spot areas, and have demonstrated in recent weeks their preparedness and ability to respond to potential COVID-19 exposures.
"While our No. 1 priority is always the safety of our residents, our local businesses are already doing it tough and we implore the state government to review this blanket ruling, which will severely impact the south-west economy and the livelihoods of many of our residents."
Corangamite Shire mayor Neil Trotter said the Wednesday shutdown of Midfield was very concerning.
"As a major processor and one of the biggest industry players in the Australian sector, their closure will have a huge impact on the agriculture sector in this region," he said.
"This is beginning to play out in the supply of product into supermarkets and butchers.
"Regionally this will impact on the entire supply chain, from farm gate, transport, logistics, livestock selling centres, export markets, processors and retail outlets. It also means that one of the region's largest employers has been required to stand down its workforce.
"A targeted approach to shutting down businesses and processors impacted by COVID-19 would seem a more pragmatic approach.
"We are acutely aware how contagious and virulent this pandemic is. We should be aiming to keep as much of the economy that is COVID-free in operation. If there are outbreaks, as there will continue to be, of course we must continue to, contain, isolate and trace."
Glenelg Shire mayor Anita Rank said Midfield potentially causing it to close its doors would have a devastating impact not only on the local economy but also nationally.
"The Great South Coast is one of Australia's most significant agricultural regions, producing over $5 billion of output annually," he said.
"Underpinning 60 per cent of the region's economy, food and agriculture products are our region's key export, with dairy, beef and sheep meat accounting for 80 per cent of the value of our agricultural production.
"The Midfield Group, a family-run business, is one of Australia's leading meat processing companies, 100 per cent Australian owned and operated. With fully integrated operations they produce a regular supply of product 12 months of the year.
"Their recent actions have proved them to be proactive and responsible operators committed to keeping their operations, and the community, free from Covid-19. It seems nonsensical to unnecessarily hinder the capacity of such a large contributor to the state's economy at the present time."
Southern Grampians mayor Chris Sharples said Midfield was vitally important to the region.
"Due to the number of COVID cases in the industry, the Victorian Government has called for all abattoirs to reduce operations by a third for a six-week period," Cr Sharples said.
"Midfield is also a very important customer for the Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange, so the impacts would be felt right throughout our community.
"Midfield management has taken every precaution. It would be very disappointing to see them grouped with other abattoirs that are suffering outbreaks when there is nothing to indicate that they are currently at risk."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.