In another devastating blow to the Mossman community, the mystery investor has pulled out of plans to purchase the local sugar mill.
It means the towns largest employer will face liquidation and around 150 workers will lose their jobs.
The mill’s parent company, the Daintree Bio Precinct Group, has been facing liquidation since going into voluntary administration in November.
The company was thrown a lifeline on February 29, when creditors supported a proposal put forward by an unnamed investor who stepped in at the last minute with plans to save the mill.
In devastating news, the community has now been told that those plans have fallen through, with the investor backing out of the deal just before the end of a 15-business day statutory deadline.
CANEGROWERS Mossman Chairman Matt Watson says it’s devastating news.
“It’s heartbreaking, not just for growers and the local sugar industry, but for the whole Mossman community.
“Local growers have been backing this business for years through investment in our crops and in the mill itself, and we had high hopes when this investor approached the company administrator with a plan to save the mill.
“They laid out their plans for bringing the mill back to profitability over the next four years, before transitioning into a green energy hub.
“To have those hopes crushed at the last minute and for the investor to simply walk away from the community is just devastating.”
The state government has announced a 12.1 million dollar Mossman Region Transition Program to help secure new jobs, and upskill and train mill workers.
Immediate actions under the program will include an information session assisting workers, formation of the Mossman Region Stakeholder Advisory Committee and commencement of a regional transition opportunities study.
Committee members will include representatives from Douglas Shire Council, Douglas Chamber of Commerce and Mossman Canegrowers as well as Queensland and Australian Government agencies.
The information session will be held on Wednesday March 27 at the Port Douglas Community Hall, Mowbray Street, Port Douglas between 10.00am and 1.00pm.
Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace says the state government has taken swift action.
“Our Mossman Region Transition Program has now been activated and our people are on the ground ready to help.
“Our rapid response includes an information session for workers to be held in Port Douglas on Wednesday March 27.
“We will bring together all the service providers who can help mill workers transition into new jobs, access training and upskilling and gain counselling support.
“We will also be forming a Mossman Region Stakeholder Advisory Committee so we work directly with locals on what they need to ensure Mossman has a bright future.”
