Bega Group plans Strathmerton plant closure, affecting 300 jobs by mid-2026

Bega Group will close its Strathmerton, Victoria cheese processing and packaging facility by mid-2026, consolidating operations at its Ridge Street site in Bega, New South Wales, as part of efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs. This move is expected to result in annual cost savings of around $30 million by eliminating duplication and lowering fixed expenses. Approximately 300 jobs will be impacted at Strathmerton, but Bega has committed to supporting affected employees and offering redeployment where possible during the phased transition. The company will invest about $50 million to upgrade the Ridge Street facility, which is projected to create around 100 new jobs in the Bega Valley. Despite the closure, Bega will maintain a significant presence in Victoria by operating five other sites and employing more than 1,700 people in the state. The company anticipates non-cash impairments and one-off cash costs of $30 to $40 million each, mainly linked to asset write-downs and redundancies.