Lactalis Australia is set to close its South Brisbane facility later this year.

According to the Australian Workers’ Union, the company plans to close the site on 10 July, which is expected to affect 202 direct workers, along with contractors.

AWU Queensland State Secretary Stacey Schinnerl says working with members on site is her top priority.

“We are meeting with our members who are understandably very concerned about their futures, and our top priority is offering support to them and their families,” she says.

“We are very disappointed at this announcement and will be working closely with management to ensure our members are looked after as much as possible.”

Lactalis Australia has been producing dairy products – which has included Australia’s first square milk bottles and UHT long-life milk – at the South Brisbane site since 1937.