A regional South Australian town is grappling with an uncertain future as its largest employer prepares to leave after more than a century. Ice cream manufacturer Golden North announced that it will relocate its operations from the mid-north town of Laura to Murray Bridge.
The decision, disclosed yesterday, comes as Golden North seeks better connections with its milk suppliers, according to managing director Dimi Kyriazis. The company, which opened its Laura factory in 1923, employs approximately 80 staff at the site.
Frank Bernhardt, owner of Meryl Cafe and Laura Emporium, expressed concern over the impact on the community. “Laura revolved around Golden North, and its exit would be a blow to locals,” he said. “It hasn’t been thought out very well, the way they’ve done it.”
Laura’s Loss
Laura, a township of around 750 people located a half-hour drive from Port Pirie and two-and-a-half hours north of Adelaide, faces significant changes. Bernhardt noted that his shop, which serves as a hub for Golden North’s history, will survive but lose a major tourism drawcard.
“We call ourselves the Golden North outlet in Laura; we have every flavour,” Bernhardt explained. “We try to give people a Golden North experience where they can watch a video, read about the history, and have a sample.”
The move is set to be completed within 12 months. In response, the South Australian government has pledged $1 million to support Laura during the transition period.
Northern Areas Council Mayor Sue Scarman was taken aback by the finality of the decision. “They have spoken about moving several times previously, but this time they’re going,” she said. “There’s a big hole. Laura and Golden North are synonymous, but that will disappear and become history.”
Murray Bridge’s Gain
Golden North will relocate to the former Beston Global Food premises in Murray Bridge, a move that could bolster the local economy. Laura factory operations manager Rick Willis, who has lived in Laura for 18 years, acknowledged the emotional impact on the town.
“There was obviously a sadness because of what it’s going to do to Laura,” Willis stated. “But from a business point of view, there was really only one option. It’s only getting harder to be located so far away from where all our ingredients come from.”
Golden North has assured that Laura employees will be given priority if they choose to relocate to Murray Bridge. Meanwhile, Murray Bridge dairy farmer Warren Doecke views the move as a positive development for the region’s dairy industry, which has faced challenges following the collapse of Beston Global Food last year.
“To have another processor in the town is certainly a positive move,” Doecke said. “We could have lived with Bestons if we’d had a really good season, and we could have lived with drought if we got our money out of Bestons.”
Implications and Future Prospects
The transition of Golden North from Laura to Murray Bridge highlights the broader challenges faced by regional towns reliant on single industries. As the company seeks logistical efficiencies, Laura must adapt to the loss of its economic mainstay.
Experts suggest that diversification and investment in new industries could mitigate the impact on Laura. The South Australian government’s financial support may aid in this transition, though the emotional and cultural void left by Golden North’s departure will be harder to fill.
As the move unfolds over the next year, the focus will be on how both Laura and Murray Bridge adapt to these changes. For Laura, the challenge lies in redefining its identity and economic base, while Murray Bridge prepares to welcome a new chapter of industrial activity.
