Not yesterdays news

A week on from the closure of AKD, the Yarram district community continues to rally as the full impact of the shutdown becomes clearer.
As the days pass, more families and businesses are revealing how deeply they have been affected, underscoring why this issue cannot simply be allowed to fade from public attention.

Yarram and district has long relied on a well-coordinated emergency response network—one that typically activates during bushfires, storms, extended power outages and floods. When news of the mill closure broke, many of those same community leaders again stepped into action.

Yarram Neighbourhood House, Yarram and District Health Service, and Yarram & District Progress Association have begun developing immediate support initiatives for those impacted. Wellington Shire Council is also at the table, working through its own response measures.

While these efforts provide much-needed short-term relief, the long-term questions remain.
What happens in a month?
Will we still be discussing how to attract industry to our region—industry capable of generating the economic base that, in turn, sustains our small businesses?

Yarram’s key wealth-creating sectors—farming, the timber industry, aged care and disability services such as Mirridong, and education—are among the district’s largest employers. When these industries suffer, the consequences ripple quickly.
Declining employment leads to falling school and preschool enrolments; cafés and local retailers feel the downturn as workers stop buying coffees and lunches; empty shops deter visitors; and community and sporting clubs struggle as sponsorship dollars and participation decline. The impacts are cumulative and far-reaching.

The community has repeatedly demonstrated resilience, and there is no doubt residents will support one another through the uncertainty ahead. But the burden should not rest on locals alone.

A mill closure is not just a workplace issue—it is an economic shock.
Meaningful government support will be essential. While Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien has met with locals, including at the Yarram Show, the community now waits for clear and substantive action from state government ministers. It is hoped a comprehensive plan is underway to support affected towns during this period of disruption.

Upcoming Support Event
Support and Services Expo
Regent Theatre, Yarram
December 1, 10am–2pm.