mmg.com.au

Goulburn Valley Food Action Committee made its second and final offer to Heinz on Friday for the purchase of the Girgarre food processing plant.

GVFAC chairman Les Cameron said the committee members were disappointed with the amount of crippled equipment on show at the site.

He said the group was saddened the results of the work undertaken by hundreds of people over more than 20 years could look so forlorn.

However, he said the site had good water supply, some sound buildings, mostly requiring repair, lots of land and the spirit of a number of people who will take on the big task should Heinz agree to sell.

Mr Cameron said the committee had made a decision on Sunday to look for a greenfield site should the bid for the Girgarre plant be unsuccessful.

‘‘Clearly for all of us this is now an issue of money,’’ he said.

‘‘The six people who have agreed to be part of purchasing the site have graciously offered their funds on the premise that we can make a going concern of the venture. There is solid economic support for the site but we will need a significant sum, probably about $15million, to retool the place and get it back to where it was.

‘‘We have good support from government and we will now commence our million member campaign.’’

The campaign’s aim is to sign up one million supporters who would each put in a minimum of $50. The money would initially be used to fund the set up and new equipment for the Goulburn Valley site, with any additional being used to assist similar co-operative groups.

Mr Cameron thanked everyone involved for their efforts so far and said he looked forward to receiving news from Heinz over the next few days.