As the Lismore community, already battered by floods, wakes to the news of staff redundancies at Norco, Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Senator Perin Davey is urging the Government to work with the Company to ensure the ice cream factory has a future in the region.
Senator Davey welcomed the fact the new Labor Government had maintained the commitment to provide Anchor Business funding to key northern rivers employers but said the news of staff layoffs at the 127 year-old dairy company, despite an offer of funding, was devastating for the tight-knit community.
“The Lismore community has been through so much and there is still a massive effort needed to rebuild, so this news is terribly sad, not just for the employees and their families, but for the whole town,” Senator Davey said.
“Straight after the floods, our Government provided funding to Norco to help retain their workforce in the aftermath and this was repeated by the new Government in July.
“The idea of the Anchor Business Fund was to enable large employers to look at options to rebuild to keep their businesses in the northern rivers.
“I understand Norco are still in discussions with the Government and I encourage them to work together to ensure the company continues for another 100 plus years in Lismore.”
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