Premier backs KCA and South East jobs
February 19, 2010
Premier Mike Rann has stepped into the fight for Millicent’s Kimberly-Clark Australia mill, calling on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to reconsider a decision that threatens hundreds of South East jobs.
More than 200 senior managers, union leaders, contractors and workers at the KCA mill gathered last week in an unprecedented rally to voice opposition to a Federal Government Customs decision that could pave the way for cheaper tissue imports. Read more
Courts Authority rejects sheriff claims
February 12, 2010
The Courts Administration Authority has rejected claims that a Mount Gambier-based Sheriff’s Officer will be put out of work during the Heyward murder trial.
Liberal candidate for Mount Gambier, Steve Perryman, last week called on Attorney-General Michael Atkinson to explain why one of Mount Gambier’s resident sheriffs was being told to stay at home while another officer was flown from Adelaide for duties at Mount Gambier. Read more
Tariff removal threatens South East jobs
February 11, 2010
Only one week after 130 jobs were lost in the timber industry, fears are resurfacing that hundreds of jobs could be under threat at Kimberly-Clark Australia’s plant near Millicent and across the South East.
“Very concerned,” was how KCA corporate services manager Ross Hearne yesterday described how workers at the Millicent plant felt. Read more
Work ombudsman targets takeaways
February 8, 2010
Fast food and takeaway businesses in Mount Gambier, Millicent and Robe can soon expect the Fair Work Ombudsman to knock on their doors.
Fair Work Ombudsman inspectors will conduct random audits at fast-food franchises, fish and chip stores, pizza shops and takeaway outlets over the next four months. Read more
Hope remains for redundant workers
February 5, 2010

Redundancy from Carter Holt Harvey’s Nangwarry plywood plant last year led Mount Gambier’s Paul Macera back to satisfying work as a car salesman. Read more
Carter Holt Harvey sheds 130 jobs
February 1, 2010
The South East was left reeling today after 130 jobs were cut at Nangwarry’s Carter Holt Harvey plywood manufacturing plant.
Today’s announcement means just 30 workers will remain at the mill, which once employed hundreds of people.
The news comes after 90 positions were cut at the plywood plant in April last year following the shedding of 130 jobs by the company in 2008 when it closed the Dartmoor mill. Read more
Workforce report identifies opportunities
January 1, 2010
A major new report has claimed the Limestone Coast needs to engage the high-spending sector of the tourist market and focus on building food and beverage value-adding to increase its population and workforce.
The Limestone Coast Workforce report — which analyses supply, demand and emerging trends and opportunities — also argues that without additional industry and building activity the region will only continue to grow slowly. Read more
School leavers told workplace rights
November 13, 2009
School leavers are being encouraged to check their workplace rights if they intend taking jobs over summer.
Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said knowledge was the best defence for young workers against being unwittingly short-changed. Read more
Award modernisation concerns
September 9, 2009
The Federal Government’s proposed awards modernisation scheme could lead to net job losses in the South East and a decline in local economic growth, according to Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce vice-president Peter Gandolfi.
Mr Gandolfi has urged the government to fully consult with various industries before the introduction of new awards, which aims to consolidate 4000 industrial awards down to about 130 from July 1 next year. Read more
Jobs guaranteed in merger plan
August 13, 2009
Mount Gambier members of Savings & Loans and Australian Central are being asked to vote on a proposed merger which would create the largest member-owned financial institution based in South Australia.
The merged credit union would have 350,000 members and more than $7b in combined assets under management and advice. Read more
