Member for Wollongong Paul Scully has called on the Parliamentary inquiry into the development of a hydrogen industry in New South Wales to visit Wollongong and take evidence.
The Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on State Development has received nearly a third of its submissions from Wollongong and Illawarra-based stakeholders, including BlueScope Steel, i3net, Hyzon Motors and Wollongong University.
“Wollongong businesses, industry, unions, and research and development capability at the University of Wollongong are more than ready to help get the hydrogen industry on its feet in this state.
“Port Kembla has been identified as a hydrogen hub and we have already seen some of the biggest investments in the country to build the capability of the industry locally.
“The Illawarra also has the high-powered investment interest of Andrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy and his focus on the development of hydrogen to produce clean steel”, Mr Scully said.
He said that he had brought together key stakeholders over recent months to develop the Recharge Illawarra – Hydrogen Plan to put together a strategy involving the production and use of hydrogen for a public transport and truck trial, skills and training, Illawarra land use planning, and supply chain development involving manufacturers, fabricators and local content.
“The Recharge Illawarra – Hydrogen Plan is ready to go with a comprehensive strategy put to the Government so we can build all of the elements we need for the Illawarra to make its mark on the supply and demand for hydrogen.
“Part of the plan is developing the hydrogen workforce of the future in the Illawarra by making sure our local TAFE and University of Wollongong has the courses and training modules to develop these specialised workers.
“We are in the box seat in the Illawarra to help develop this critically important new industry and I want the Parliamentary inquiry to know just how far ahead we are in planning the hydrogen hub at Port Kembla”, Mr Scully said.
The stakeholder groups involved in developing the Recharge Illawarra – Hydrogen Plan include:
- Paul Scully MP, Member for Wollongong
- South Coast Labour Council (including relevant affiliate unions)
- University of Wollongong
- BlueScope
- CoreGas
- Illawarra Innovative Industry Network
- Business Illawarra
- TAFE Teachers Association
- Wollongong City Council
- Premier Illawarra Buses
- Hyzon Motors
Many of the stakeholders have also made submissions to the Parliamentary inquiry.
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