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This article was published on Wednesday, 31 July, 2013. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Council heads to Canberra in support of SPCA

Council heads to Canberra in support of SPCA

A delegation from the Greater Shepparton City Council headed to Canberra yesterday to present to the Productivity Commission Safeguard Inquiry into the importation of processed fruit and tomatoes.

Council Investment Attraction Manager Geraldine Christou and Cr Michael Polan outlined to the Commission the economic impact for Greater Shepparton of a possible withdrawal of SPC Ardmona (SPCA) operations from the Goulburn Valley.

"Greater Shepparton will be confronted with the loss of up to 1,000 full time equivalent positions from the manufacturing agriculture, transport and logistics and retail sectors if SPCA was to cease its operations within the Goulburn Valley", contends Ms Christou. "This will see our unemployment rate rise to 11.0% which will have a significant economic and social impact on our community. Obviously the retention of SPCA operations is our area is vital."

Greater Shepparton City Council lent its support to SPCA in reiterating the need for the Federal Government to apply safeguard measures to protect against imported goods. "We believe that Australian companies such as SPCA have suffered financially from cheap imports that have been flooding the Australian market", suggests Cr Polan. "A tariff on imported fruit products will eliminate the price gap between domestic and imported products which will enable SPCA to operate on a more level playing field. We also support SPCA in seeking financial assistance in making the business more competitive now and into the future as they contend with factors outside their control."

Other speakers at the hearing included Peter Kelly - SPC Ardmona, John Wilson - Fruit Growers Victoria, Gary Arnold - Moira Shire Council, Dr Sharman Stone and Kedibone Machiu, Pemy Gasela and Ray Sithole from the South African Department of Trade and Industry.

The Commissioners asked Council representatives for their opinion on SPCA's proposed consolidation of their three sites and the timeliness of a result of the hearing. "We advised the Commissioners that we supported consolidation of an SPCA footprint, as it would create efficiencies and therefore sustain SPCA's presence in our region long term", explains Ms Christou. "In terms of timeframes the Commission needs to hand down a decision as soon as possible as trees are being pulled out due to the uncertainty that currently exists."

The Commission is due to provide a report to the Federal Government within three months.