Once-thriving Advance Bricks in Stawell goes to the wall, wiping out 23 jobs because it can no longer afford the power bill to fire its oven.
Regional businesses are beginning to buckle under the pressure of unaffordable power as Australia's gas crisis continues to bite.The family business has been in operation for 82 years but is buckling under rising gas pricesIn the Victorian town of Stawell, about 230kms north-west of Melbourne, local manufacturer Advance Bricks is shutting after more than 82 years in business.
"The assertion by Premier Andrews and Minister Bowen that heavy industries can transition to renewable energy is complete and utter fantasy," he said. "Stawell and the broader Wimmera region in Victoria is an open market and we welcome greater competition that would provide businesses more choice," a spokesperson said.Devastating affect on Stawell
Mr McIntosh was not sure when the factory doors would close for the last time but "I have a holiday in a month's time for two weeks, so that might be it."For the past 20 years, administrator Lynne Scott has been processing accounts and payroll at Advanced Bricks.