Ratepayer Malcolm Carson queried how administrators didn’t know the full extent of the company’s problems before it was liquidated last Friday.

Chief administrator Ailsa Fox asked Mr McGrath to respond to the question.

“Myself and administrators had several meetings over the past six months with Bruck administrators,” Mr McGrath said.

“There has certainly been plenty of opportunities for the owner to alert the council about the issues confronting Bruck.

“That hasn’t occurred to any great extent, but there have been discussions generally about the fact manufacturing and the textile business is pretty competitive and a hard game.

“But we weren’t given any indication of the scale of the issues or likelihood of liquidation.”

Mr McGrath said a response meeting had been well attended by sacked workers and their families yesterday.

Twenty-five agencies, including Centrelink and employment providers, were present.

“We are keen to play whatever role we can,” he said.