The closure of a major manufacturing site has left a regional community reeling, with hundreds of jobs at risk.
Bega Cheese says it will begin a phased shutdown of its Strathmerton facility, in northern Victoria, with operations expected to cease by mid-2026.
The cheese processing and packing site employs about 300 staff.
Bill and Cathy Ford, who have operated farm equipment supplier BWR Machinery for 17 years, are located not far from the factory.
The couple, who know many of the workers, said the closure would devastate the town.
"The loss of employment (will be) severe," Mr Ford told AAP.
The regional town has a population of 1072 and is about 250km from Melbourne, near the Victorian-NSW border town of Cobram.
Strathy Hot Bread Bakery manager Van Bui said she was worried about workers' future, saying it would be sad to see people move away from the already quiet town.
The Bega Group says it is working with staff impacted by the closure.
It plans to consolidate operations into its existing facility in Bega, in southern NSW, where it expects to create about 100 jobs.
Bega chief executive officer Pete Findlay said re-deployment would be offered to employees where possible.
"We are very aware of the impact of this decision, and we are doing our best to manage this transition with care and respect for our Strathmerton employees and the local community," Mr Findlay said.
The closure is expected to deliver the company $30 million in annual savings, according to a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange.
Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson said the local government would work to manage the impacts on the community.
"Our hearts go out to the workers and their families who are facing this incredibly challenging time," Mr Emonson said.
"We will also be calling on both the state and federal governments for immediate and long-term support during this transition period."
A Victorian government spokeswoman said support would be offered to employees.
"We appreciate this is a difficult time for Bega workers and their families," she said.
AAP has been told the company did not request any financial support or assistance from the Victorian government.
Wendy Lovell, an upper house Liberal MP for the region, said the economic ripples of the site's closure would be deeply felt.
"It is sadly unsurprising that a company with sites in other states would choose to relocate to NSW, where business conditions are more competitive and government policy encourages ... investment and job creation," she said.
Bega will keep open its five remaining manufacturing facilities in Tatura, Morwell, Chelsea, Koroit and Port Melbourne.
The company employs more than 1700 people in Victoria.
