Agriculture Minister Joe Helper advised Sunraysia Daily last night the government had exhausted every opportunity to find a new tenant for the government building.

“The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will cease operations at the site by the end of the year, however, we remain committed to providing agricultural services to farmers in the Mallee and the same level of service will continue to be provided from DPI centres in Horsham and Irymple,” Mr Helper said.

Mr Helper said the government provided $25,000 to give the consortium of interested parties every opportunity to prepare a business plan for the site that would maximise benefit to the Walpeup community.

“The business plan, however, failed to identify ways of securing ongoing funding and required a government commitment of over $600,000 over three years while only securing one job, which was not financially sustainable.

“The decision to decline the business plan was not taken lightly and I am particularly mindful of the impact this is having on the local community.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Saturday’s Sunraysia Daily 21/11/2009.