ORANGE City Council could take on Electrolux workers left without a job when the plant closes its doors by expanding its workload to tender for state and federal government infrastructure.
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But first Orange needs more than $200 million in state and federal government stimulus packages for council to boost its recruitment processes and purchase more plant equipment, according to the Central West Community Union Alliance.
Members of the alliance met on Tuesday to discuss options to soften the jobs crisis for the 544 plant workers and those working in associated businesses in Orange.
The alliance’s Joe Maric said Geelong received about $180 million in government assistance to help the city recover from the Ford factory closure and Illawarra also received millions when the steel furnace closed.
He wants member for Orange Andrew Gee and member for Calare John Cobb to negotiate a similar deal for Orange of between $200 million to $250 million to avoid a downward spiral for the city.
If most of the funds were channelled into council it would be able to take on hundreds of extra workers, Mr Maric said.
“That way local people at a local level could be doing infrastructure work rather than it being outsourced to private companies,” he said.
“Some of the stimulus could also be put into other programs for smaller businesses to train people.”
With potential council amalgamations looming and councils under pressure to remain financially viable, Mr Maric admitted council may be reluctant to take on extra work and staff, but he believes the funding boost could be a way for the neighbouring councils of Blayney and Cabonne to share resources with Orange.
The alliance is planning community meetings to seek ideas to aid the recovery from Electrolux’s closure.
Following Electrolux’s announcement, Mr Cobb said the government had not ruled out any stimulus packages for the region.
In a statement yesterday he said he was awaiting a reply from Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane following ongoing discussions and official correspondence.
clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au