No date set for Goulburn DC closure: Coles

Fresh speculation has arisen that the Ducks Lane facility will shut earlier than the five-year timeframe widely expected.

Labor candidate for Goulburn Dr Ursula Stephens said workers were advised on Thursday that the centre would close within 12 months but most likely by the end of this year and that redundancies would be negotiated. The facility employs some 250 people.

“My position has always been that it would shut earlier than the five years and that’s why I called for a meeting pulling groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Regional Development Australia (Southern Inland) and the council together to look at opportunities for the workers,” Dr Stephens said.

But thus far there had been no momentum towards this, she told the Post. Dr Stephens said her biggest fear was not for longtime employees who would receive a redundancy payout but casuals and younger workers who couldn’t access superannuation at this stage.

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But in a statement, a Coles spokesman said no closure date had been decided.

“When a decision is made, our team members will be the first to know. We will work with external stakeholders when appropriate,” he said.

The council’s business development manager Jackson Reardon said as recently as last week Coles had confirmed that no date had been set for the closure.

“They have reaffirmed that their employees will be the first to be advised of any decision, and that the council will be advised as soon as possible after speaking with their employees,” he said.

This stands in contrast to the National Union of Workers’ understanding. A spokesman said the Union requested last Thursday’s meeting and was told by management that the Goulburn DC would be closed over the next 12 months. Another two DCs were forecast to shut within five years. 

He said the meeting also discussed how the workforce and community would be supported throughout the “difficult transition.”

“The Coles decision to close the Goulburn distribution centre will have a major impact not only on workers and their families who will be directly affected, but on the entire local economy,” he said.

“Any transition package for Coles workers must include a strong redundancy payment, retraining, retention, relocation provisions and mental health support.”

The spokesman said the enterprise bargaining agreement, which was specific to the centre, would not be renewed, given the shutdown. Further meetings between the NUW and Coles are planned over the next two weeks.

“The NUW NSW will continue consulting affected workers and negotiating with the company to achieve the best outcome,” he said.

Goulburn Chamber of Commerce president Mark Bradbury said he had not been contacted by Coles about any work transition arrangements.

“We’d like to see some sort of training offered to workers who are going to be losing their jobs or the utmost assistance given to secure similar work in the district,” he said.

“Only Coles knows the skill set of their employees and if they’re to be discarded sooner than expected, it would be a win-win for everyone if this information were shared.”

RDA Southern Inland last year completed a skills audit of its area, including Goulburn Mulwaree, identifying strengths and weaknesses. 

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