By KATRINA BRANDON
ANOTHER blow has come to the Latrobe Valley, after Opal Australian Paper Maryvale cut 84 jobs.
Opal made the announcement last Thursday evening, directing the blame towards the state government for failing to secure timber supply.
“The Maryvale Mill suffered substantial losses due to the Victorian government’s failure to meet its contractual obligations under the Wood Pulp Agreement. In late 2025, Opal commenced court action arising from the government’s failure to supply wood in accordance with the agreement,” the statement read.
“The end of white paper production has significantly changed the operational footprint of the mill, and the site has been working hard to right-size its operations as a craft and recycled paper manufacturer. This has included ongoing fixed cost reductions to align with its reduced footprint.”
Opal was the last remaining white paper manufacturer in Victoria until early 2023, when it ceased production and cut 156 jobs, leaving about 500 people working at the site until the present time.
Gippsland Trades and Labour Council Secretary Steve Dodd said the news was devastating for the region.
“It’s going to have a big impact on the 84 families, 84 workers that have been made redundant, and it’s going to have a big impact on the community, especially the local jobs that support those workers in this region,” he told the Express.
“I just can’t believe how sneaky it was done with an 8.40pm media release where workers and unions find out that their jobs are on the line. They’ve shown no respect for the workers and no respect for the unions.”
Mr Dodd said workers were totally shocked after receiving the news.
Gippsland forestry workers had only recently completed a Victorian Forestry Transition Program, following the end of native timber harvesting in 2024.
Mr Dodd said he would be calling on the government to support a similar package to help mill workers.
“It’s not good to be made redundant, but the more notice we get, the better it is that we can assist workers,” he said.
“(Assist workers) both in training and getting them a job, and obviously support them, mental health services, and a whole range of pieces. It’s a big shock for somebody who’s been a long-time employee, showed loyalty to that company, only to find at 8.40 their job was cut.
The Timber, Furnishing & Textiles Union (TFTU) slammed the decision, and warned that Opal is targeting critical safety, emergency response and training functions that are essential to keeping workers safe.
TFTU Pulp & Paper Secretary, Denise Campbell-Burns, said workers were blindsided by the announcement and deserved far greater transparency from the company.
“People are angry, shocked and worried about what this means for their future,” she said.
“These are not just jobs. These are skilled workers who support the safe operation of one of the largest industrial sites in regional Victoria.”
The proposed cuts include positions across First Aid, Fire Services, Training, Safety and other key support functions.
Ms Campbell-Burns said the union was particularly alarmed by the company’s proposal to remove roles responsible for emergency response, workplace safety and work force competency.
While Opal has pointed to financial pressure as reasons for the proposed restructure, the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU) said workers should not be expected to accept the company’s claims without sufficient evidence.
The TFTU is calling on Opal to provide unions and workers with all information immediately relied upon to develop the proposal, including operational assessments, organisational reviews, financial analysis and safety impact assessments.
“The company needs to prove why these jobs should go,” they said.
“Until that happens, the TFTU will continue to fight these cuts, protect our members’ jobs and defend the safety standards that workers at Maryvale have worked hard to build.”
Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, also shared his disappointment.
“It is devastating news for the workers and their families that more jobs will be lost at the mill which has been such a critical part of the economic life of the Latrobe Valley,” Mr Chester said.
“I have been reassured by Opal executives that workers will receive their full entitlements, but the loss of jobs will have a widespread impact on the region.”
“Opal understands the impact of job losses in regional communities, and we will work with affected team members to explore redeployment opportunities across the mill and the broader Opal network,” the company said.
“It is hoped some of these opportunities will be taken up where reasonably practicable.”
Local Nationals MPs Martin Cameron (Member for Morwell), Melina Bath (Eastern Victoria), and Mr Chester said that in 2019, former Premier Daniel Andrews guaranteed 1000 workers at the mill their livelihoods were secured until 2050, until he announced the closure of the native timber industry four years later.
They also highlighted the cuts in 2023, ceasing work for 200 workers, and 40 in 2024.
“Now we are losing another 84 jobs – and it was avoidable. Labor killed off a sustainable industry for political expediency,” Mr Cameron said.
“I have requested a briefing with Opal to understand the finer details of this decision and discuss supports available for workers, but one thing is clear – Latrobe Valley families continue to pay the price for Labor’s disastrous forestry policy.”
The state government was approached for comment, but replied that as the matter surrounding the Wood Pulp Agreement is before the courts, it would be “inappropriate to comment further”.
