SUBSTANTIAL job losses and tens of millions of dollars downturn are set to sweep across the Shire of Gannawarra as the full extent of the cut to farm game milk prices is realised.
Shire mayor, Cr Lorraine Learmonth said dairy cuts would mean a $25 million downturn in the region.
The shire is forecasting more than 250 jobs – 110 directly in dairy and 143 in support industries – are at risk.
Cr Learmonth said small communities, where jobs can be hard to come by, would feel the effects.
“The feed suppliers and the people that sold their hay to the dairy farmers and their grain. You know they cut back on clothing or supplies or anything like that and if they do move away than it affects our schools and student numbers…it just goes on,” she said.
There are about 140 dairy farms in the shire producing close to 280 million litres of milk per year, about 80 per cent of which supply Murray Goulburn and Fonterra.
The average dairy farm loss from the price cuts was between $120,000 and $180,0000.
“It will be the whole community affected,” Cr Learmonth said.
