Glen Aplin farm faces possible liquidation

The long-held family business entered voluntary administration on 5 July. Picture: DOMINIQUE TASSELL

By Jess Baker

Kirra Pines Farming, a large scale vegetable farming operation at Glen Aplin, is facing possible liquidation after entering voluntary administration on Monday 5 July.

The development comes after a challenging period of severe drought and Covid-19, which saw production costs at the farm increase while consumer prices stayed low.

Owned and operated for years by the Carnell family, Kirra Pines Farming has now been handed over to administrators Kelly Trenfield and John Park of business advisory firm FTI Consulting.

Kirra Pines Farming Managing Director and third-generation grower Tim Carnell said the decision to enter administration was a difficult one.

“As an innovative and progressive business, we see ourselves as an integral part of the horticulture value chain,” he said.

“However, despite Kirra Pines’ best effort to work through the devastating drought and the Covid-19 pandemic, this difficult decision has been made by the family.

“We are extremely disappointed this situation has emerged and want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Kirra Pines team.”

Tim said he and his family remain very proud of Kirra Pines’ contribution to the Granite Belt community.

“Our focus is to work closely with staff, creditors and related stakeholders and we remain hopeful Kirra Pines can be brought out of administration as soon as possible,” he said.

FTI Consulting said in a statement that it would assess the financial position and ongoing viability of Kirra Pines, seeking to maximise the chances of it exiting the voluntary administration process “in a sustainable position”.

“The administrators intend to work with management and staff in continuing to trade the business while the review takes place,” FTI said in a statement.

The company’s new administrators will eventually determine if the company can be salvaged or if it must be liquidated.

Kirra Pines Farming was founded in 1946 and comprises 260 hectares of rotational farming across nine sites.

It specialises in tomato and capsicum production, employs 25 local staff and 120 seasonal staff, and supplies retail, wholesale, processor and food service customers.