Coronavirus travel restrictions stop overseas engineers needed for old Electrolux-site factory

A-Tech Extrusion Systems executive Barry Barakat said several specialist engineers from Italy and China needed to travel to Orange to install and commission aluminium extrusion machinery.

However the engineers have been unable to come to Australia due to international restrictions.

Mr Barakat also said A-Tech had sourced some of the equipment, with the rest to be shipped when they could confirm the engineers' arrival.

He said A-Tech had been unable to source the technical expertise in Australia due to the specialised nature of the extrusion units.

Mr Barakat said the experts would be needed in Orange for up to 12 months to install the machinery, test and commission the plant and train staff.

"We have been trying to source these people locally," he said. Mr Barakat said A-Tech supported the government's travel rules but were hoping to find a solution.

"We absolutely respect and agree with the restrictions the government has established for COVID-19," he said.

Mr Barakat said if the staff were allowed into Australia they would go into isolation upon arrival in accordance with government guidelines.

He said the company had been in contact with Orange City Council and the Member for Calare Andrew Gee.

Mr Barakat said they were working to prepare a submission to the federal government to seek approval for the specialist staff.

He said they would not begin employing staff for the factory until they knew when the engineers could travel to install the plant.

Council this week approved plans for the Edward Street site.

Orange mayor Reg Kidd said the council was seeking federal government assistance on the travel restrictions.

"It is potentially quite a delay," he said.