MEETING NOTES
Community Working Group Murray Goulburn
Tangambalanga plant closure meeting
Mission Statement:
To support and develop a sustainable, thriving and resilient Community
through leadership and partnership.
HELD:
Wednesday, 24 May 2017, 11:00am
LOCATION:
Lion’s Den, Tangambalanga
CHAIR:
Mayor Jenny O’Connor
ATTENDED:
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Cr Jenny O’Connor
Mayor, Indigo Shire Council
Sheridan Arundel
Community representative
Linda Coon
Community representative
Donna Jack
Community representative
Peter Croucher
Community representative
Gordon Bowes
Community representative
Lanelle Bailey
Community representative
Jack Britton
Community representative
Gerry Smith
CEO, Indigo Shire Council
Karen Gardner
Eco Dev, Indigo Shire Council
Lauren Elvin
Eco Dev, Towong Shire
Adam Wiseman
Eco Dev, City of Wodonga
Matt Nelson
Regional Director, RDV
Helen Tobin-King
Manager Trade & Investment,
RDV
Ben Gursansky
General Manager – Policy,
Industry & Government –
Murray Goulburn
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Community Working Group – Meeting notes
1. Welcome and Introductions:
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Chair (Cr. Jenny O’Connor) welcomed attendees.
2. Confirmation of Membership:
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Welcomed participation in Working Group by Murray Goulburn representative, Ben Gursansky,
General Manager Industry & Government
Danone representation on the WG to be sought
Membership of the Group will be flexible and specialist advice and knowledge will be invited as
required.
3. Terms of Reference:
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Draft Terms of Reference for Working Group (attached) were tabled and discussed.
The Chair emphasised the establishment of the Working Group as a point of contact for
communities affected by the plant closure and that it does not play a role in the information flow
between MG and its employees.
4. Status of MG Actions and response to questions from Community Meeting:
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Meeting notes from Public Meeting of 15 May 17 were tabled and reviewed.
Verbal responses to questions raised at the Public Meeting were provided by the Ben Gursansky,
MG General Manager Industry & Government. Written responses to questions will be forwarded
separately for distribution to WG members and communication to community. (Action BG)
Status of open later tabled at Public Meeting was queried and whether it was sent to MG. (Action
GS)
Details of phasing of job losses to be advised to WG following individual meetings by MG HR staff
with workers.
5. Status of State Government Actions and Response:
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Matt Nelson, Regional Director RDV, provided an update on State Government actions:
o Minister RD has met with MD Murray Goulburn over the future of the plants and workers at
Tangambalanga and Rochester.
o Minister RD has met with Indigo and Campaspe Councils, and has visited plants and workers
at both sites.
o State Government Transition Working Group has been established through Regional
Development Victoria to look at options for both plants and guide investment opportunities
and responses. Representation from Ministers office, RDV, Councils, State Departments
covering Agriculture, Small Business
o RDV Investment and Trade teams have commenced Business in Transition program initiated
to coordinate support and provide programs for affected employees and small businesses is
underway and being coordinated with LGAs (Currently scheduled for 8th June in
Tangambalanga - details TBA)
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Community Working Group – Meeting notes
6. Discussion of Status Report and Proposed Support Requests of State
Government Actions and Response:
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A document containing a Status Report and Requests for State Government Support was tabled by
Gerry Smith, CEO Indigo Shire Council and discussed.
Requirements for support from the State Government identified and confirmed were:
o Resourcing for Indigo Shire Council engagement of a Community Recovery & Response
Officer to work across three LGAs.
o Support to secure Kiewa River access via sale or transfer of the NECMA Kiewa depot
o Continuation of actions from Tallangatta Tomorrow strategic plan and Alpine Valleys Dairy
Pathways Program (Towong to provide details – Action LE)
o Development of Town Centre structure plan for Tangambalanga through Victorian Planning
Authority
o Continued support for NE Victorian Cycling Optimisation Project (NEVCO) to extend Murray
to Mountains Rail Trail from Yackandandah to Huon via Tangambalanga, including
redevelopment of Huon Reserve.
o Improvements for Council-owned industrial land parcels at Tangambalanga
Other requirements discussed were:
o Provision of water supply for Coulston Park. MG confirmed that would continue at least until
July 2019
Support requirements to be submitted for consideration through State Government Transition
Working Group.
7. Advocacy Items

Chair indicated that a delegation from the Working Group to meet with the Commonwealth
Employment Minister would not proceed until specific requests for federal support were
identified.
8. Other Items:
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Items and actions coming through WG to be communicated as follows:
o Kiewa Gazette, local newsletters and school. (Peter Croucher to coordinate)
o Tallangatta Herald
o Ovens & Murray Advertiser (Indigo Connection)
o Links to Indigo Shire Council webpage on Murray Goulburn Plant closure
o Community event information to be distributed to employees through MG
Opportunities for sale or lease-back of the plant to a new Co-operative were discussed. Retention
or sale of the Kiewa Milk brand was discussed. MG indicated that those options were not off the
table, but that more details would be needed.
MG communication to distributors was highlighted as not working well enough.
Next meeting Wed 7th June at 3.30 pm.
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