Mayor Monica Morse said it was suggested that water charges were one area where council could assist the company.

While unable to give details of Simplot’s water usage, citing commercial in confidence, she said the company does use “a lot of water” and that it was one area council could look at.

She said an “open and honest” discussion had taken place with Simplot management.

“They gave us lots of statistics about the costs of operating in Bathurst and the competitive environment of food processing,” she said.

Employees were told of the tough times facing the plant during meetings with management in early June.

The company is trying to identify what it describes as “profit improvement opportunities” in an effort to maintain the viability of the local operation.

However, if it can’t turn its present woes around, Simplot says it will have no option but to wind up production at its Bathurst plant after the next corn season.

Simplot blames unsatisfactory financial returns arising from a very competitive food industry environment and unsustainably high manufacturing costs.

Deputy mayor Ian North said councillors had asked senior staff to look at any ways in which council could assist.

“The federal government is prepared to put up big dollars to assist Holden and Ford, but they have to realise the importance of manufacturers to country regions in terms of employment and growth,” he said.

“I’m disappointed we have not seen any clear direction at a state or federal level.”

Bathurst MP Paul Toole said he understood the company was working with NSW Trade and Investment looking at grants which may be available to assist the business.

“When the company approached me very early in the piece, I guided them toward NSW Trade and Investment and council as organisations which may be able to assist them,” he said.

“They haven’t come back to me as yet, but I will be following up on progress in the near future to see what progress has been made.”