The Millicent tissue mill, which has been operating in the regional South Australian town since 1960, currently employs about 400 people, a significant decline from the approximately 1,000 workers it had in the 1980s. The site was formerly owned by Kimberly-Clark Australia before being taken over by Arbex, a joint venture between Brazilian pulp producer Suzano and Kimberly-Clark.
The Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union confirmed it is in discussions with management about what it described as "reported changes and their implications for workers." Union district secretary Denise Campbell-Burns said the union would advocate strongly for the workers, their families and the broader Millicent community, which has a population of about 4,700. At the same time, the union declined to speculate on how many jobs could be affected.
In a statement, Arbex confirmed it was in talks about a "proposed transformation program" at the site, but insisted that "Millicent remains a critical part of Arbex's Australian manufacturing network." The company declined to comment further on the potential impact on jobs, noting that consultation was ongoing.
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll highlighted the mill's importance to the area, noting that over its six decades of operation, thousands of locals have worked there. "Employees within our community and the region have held careers here from when they left school to when they've retired," he said. "Some of these employees have been here for 50 years. For every one employee, it's supported three others in our community, as well as local contractors."
The union has called on governments to do more to strengthen local manufacturing, a plea that resonates in Millicent, where the mill is a longstanding pillar of the economy.