The Mossman Sugar Mill, a cornerstone of its community for decades, faces liquidation, leaving dozens of workers in fear of their town's demise. The mill's closure will result in the immediate termination of 55 employees, leaving only a skeleton staff of 20 to assist with the winding-up process.
The mill's workforce has dwindled in recent months as contracts expired and resignations increased. The remaining employees, including Paul Atkins, a process control engineer with 18 years of experience, are facing an uncertain future. Atkins, a father of two young children, is concerned about the impact on his family.
Craig Butland, who works in procurement and planning, fears the closure will have a ripple effect on local businesses that rely on the mill. He anticipates that coffee shops, hardware stores, and other vendors will suffer from the loss of patronage.
The closure also poses challenges for the nearly 90 growers who supplied the mill. With no alternative market for their sugarcane, they face the prospect of abandoning their farms. Ben McClelland, a fourth-generation cane farmer, expressed his frustration and the potential for land abandonment.
The Queensland Government has pledged $12.1 million to assist Mossman in transitioning away from the sugar industry. However, workers like Atkins are concerned about the feasibility of finding suitable employment within a reasonable commuting distance from their families.