Burdekin workers are facing job losses after Wilmar Sugar and Renewables confirmed redundancies across its North Queensland mills just weeks before Christmas.
“After careful consideration, Wilmar Sugar and Renewables has implemented organisational changes to ensure our structure and workforce reflect current business needs,” a Wilmar Sugar and Renewables spokesperson said.
“These changes have been necessary to improve alignment with our business objectives and ensure the sustainability of our cost base in the current operating environment.”
According to a Townsville Bulletin report, a source employed at one of Wilmar’s North Queensland mills said the recent redundancies are part of a $50 million operations cost-cutting plan actioned by the company. Wilmar Sugar did not confirm or deny the figure when asked.
The spokesperson added that the business “explored potential redeployment of employees within the company” but was “unable to find suitable redeployment opportunities in all cases,” with a small number of employees leaving as a result.
“We continue to prioritise safety, operational and financial performance, and are now focused on positioning the business strongly for the production season ahead,” the spokesperson said.
Wilmar Sugar and Renewables operates eight sugar mills across North Queensland, employing over 2,000 staff during the annual sugar production season. Its Burdekin mills—Invicta, Kalamia, Inkerman and Pioneer—are among the largest in the region, producing a significant portion of Australia’s sugar output.
According to modelled Small Area Labour Market estimates from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, unemployment in the Burdekin remains below the state and national averages, but the latest Wilmar Sugar redundancies are expected to have an impact on the local workforce, given the company’s role as a major regional employer.
Burdekin workers are facing job losses after Wilmar Sugar and Renewables confirmed redundancies across its North Queensland mills just weeks before Christmas. Photo source: Wilmar Sugar via LinkedIn
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