News Article

At the request of the Productivity Commission inquiry into safeguards against processed fruit imports, Greater Shepparton City Council will be making the Essential Economic Report publicly available which details the anticipated economic impact of the withdrawal of SPC Ardmona operations from the Goulburn Valley.

Greater Shepparton City Council commissioned the report early in the year to assist in its lobbying efforts with the various levels of government in support of SPC Ardmona and local growers.

 
"The report has been instrumental in getting the federal and state governments to understand the value of SPC Ardmona not only to our local economy but also nationally", explains Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Jenny Houlihan. "While the report details the financial loss of a potential SPC Ardmona withdrawal including the number of possible job losses and reduction in regional economic output, it also touches on the social impacts for our community."

The report has formed the basis of discussions with a range of federal and state Ministers and more recently the data has been used to form Council's presentation to the Productivity Commission in supporting the introduction of safe guard measures.

The Mayor, along with Council's Investment Attraction Manager Geraldine Christou, presented to the second public hearing which was held on Monday October 28 in Melbourne. It was following Council's presentation that the request was made by the Productivity Commission to make the report public in order for the Commission to utilise the figures in making their final recommendations.

"We're anticipating that releasing the report will have a positive influence on the outcome of the Productivity Commission inquiry", contends Mayor Houlihan. "The figures are very compelling in demonstrating the need to preserve the long-term future of SPC Ardmona and the horticultural industry for the greater good of our national and local economy. The Anti-Dumping Commission has released the preliminary finding that processed tomatoes from Italy have been dumped in Australia causing material injury to SPC Ardmona, and we hope that the figures we have provided encourage the Productivity Commission to take a similar stance."

For a copy of the Economic Impact of withdrawal of SPC Ardmona Operations from the Greater Shepparton Region Report please find the downloadable attachment below.

For more information please contact:

Ms Geraldine Christou
Manager Investment Attraction
P: (03) 5832 9848
E: geraldine.christou@shepparton.vic.gov.au