Proserpine's second Sucrogen vote draws near

 Proserpine’s co-operative sugar mill may be one step closer to being sold. A spokesperson for PCSMA confirmed the notice of meeting (for a second Sucrogen vote) has now been lodged with the registrar and the distribution of paperwork to members is expected to occur within a matter of days.

 Sucrogen’s CEO Ian Glasson will be visiting Proserpine next week, meeting with mill employees and local business owners as well as holding informal face-to-face sessions for PCSMA members at the Proserpine RSL. The sessions will be held from 9am to 11am and again from 2 to 4pm on Monday October 10, giving members the chance to ask any questions they might have about Sucrogen’s offer to buy the Proserpine mill.

 “People don’t need an appointment. They can just walk in off the street. Our offer will give Proserpine members the best outcome, so we’re keen to ensure they have all the facts,” Mr Glasson said.

 PCSMA’s electrical engineering manager Steve Ischenko, who previously worked for Sucrogen (then CSR Sugar), said there would be huge benefits to becoming part of a larger company.

 Mr Ischenko said while it was not his place to dictate how PCSMA members should vote, he thought it was good news when Sucrogen announced its interest in the mill.

 “I thought - this is great. This is just what we need,” he said.

 Mr Ischenko said whatever decision members made, the sooner they did it, the better.

 “It’s important it’s finalised before the maintenance season starts. Once the crushing’s over, we starting dipping into the profits,” he said.