Peter and Di Saal announce Widgee Engineering closure after 35 years

After extended council battles, health scares and contractor challenges, the owners of Widgee Engineering have announced the closure of the business.

Di and Pete Saal with their Widgee Engineering family.

After rocky council battles, health scares and contractor challenges, the owners of Widgee Engineering have announced the business will close after 35 years.

Owners Peter and Di Saal announced on Facebook this week that the business would be closing primarily because of the liquidation of three contractors.

Mrs Saal said they had decided to discontinue the business “to ensure we were able to pay all our creditors and move forward with our lives”.

“Our team at Widgee Engineering were like family to us,” she said.

She said those who had worked at the business had secured jobs in and around Gympie.

“They stood by our side during the very tough times we had a few years ago.”

Widgee Engineering survived a stressful five-and-a-half-year battle with the council after reports of “contamination”, costing them about $600,000.

Di and Pete Saal with their Widgee Engineering family.

The crowd gathered in support of Widgee Engineering at a community meeting involving then members of the Gympie Regional Council.

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They were originally given two years to move or close, but this decision was reversed after backlash from the community, including public meetings, calls for a public inquiry, and a petition bearing more than 2000 signatures.

Mr Saal also battled cancer in 2013-2018 and had open heart surgery in 2019.

“During our 35 years of business in the beautiful community of Widgee, we are proud to say we had [sic] put through 33 apprentices,” Mrs Saal said.

She said she wanted to “acknowledge all the love and support we received from all the beautiful people in and around Widgee and Gympie.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of such an amazing community.

“Thank you Widgee,” she said. “Forever in our hearts”.

“With that, we would like to introduce you all to the new owners of 532 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee and they are Ian and Serena Ward.”

Mr and Mrs Saal were contacted for additional comment.