Coulston Park taps into Kiewa River water via the factory and its management committee president Jack Britton fears access could be lost.

“If we get no water we haven’t got much of a facility,” Mr Britton said.

“We’ve probably got one of the best grounds in the league, probably better than most Ovens and Murray grounds.

“It’s a fantastic set-up we’ve got here and if we haven’t got any water well it’s going to look like a bloody dust bowl.”

Kiewa General Store owner Brendon Arundel made a desperate plea to help dairy workers facing the axe.

“These guys don’t want to be going to Centrelink,” Mr Arundel said.

“Without these guys we’re going to die, sporting clubs are going to die, no sponsorship.

“I can’t chip in as much as they do, I’m only a small piece of the pie.

“Swimming pool is going to die, no-one is going to come out here.

“We’ve got to look after these guys and start backing them.

“Without these guys there, I’m not there, a few other shops aren’t there, the community starts to die.

“Subdivision, turn it back into a paddock.

“We’ve got to fix them up, we’ve got to look after them, otherwise my staff go, town goes.”

Indigo Shire mayor Jenny O’Connor responded to Mr Arundel’s call, which drew applause, by saying: “You’re dead right.”

Mr Britton summed up the impact of Murray Goulburn’s decision.

“They’re not just taking away our livelihood, they’re taking away our identity,” he said.