Murray Goulburn (MG) has announced the sale of its Leitchville cheese production line.
Managing director Ari Mervis has told suppliers agreement had been reached to sell the machinery, from the factory, at Leitchville, near Cohuna.
“Longer term we do not intend for the site to remain dormant and are considering future options for the land and buildings, including a possible sale,” Mr Mervis said.
“Our focus is to maximise value to MG, our suppliers and stakeholders.”
The factory closed in 2010, with about 80 workers losing their jobs.
At the time, MG said milk supply in northern Victoria had fallen, meaning it was impossible to keep the region’s four factories operating.
In August last year, a consortium of investors announced plans to buy the factory.
Late last year, quashed suggestions it intended selling the plant.
A spokesman said the future of the plant was discussed at a Cohuna suppliers meeting, but there was no suggestion it would be sold.
A local consortium, Primary Partners, approached MG to buy the plant, to develop it as a pork manufacturing and cheese processing factory, employing 80 people.
‘MG acknowledges that preliminary discussions did occur with the consortium concerning a proposed meat packaging plant, however these discussions did not proceed,” the spokesman said.
‘Leitchville remains a strategic asset for MG and we do not intend to sell the plant and equipment which are still in excellent order,” the spokesman said
“This includes a high quality cheese production line which has the potential to be reused in the future, if required.”
