A multimillion-dollar energy efficiency project poised to begin in the Illawarra will create no direct jobs but is intended to have flow-on benefits for the region's green economy, according to Regional Development Australia.
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Funding for the $2.3 million Energy Efficiency in the 3rd Age (EE3A) project represents the first sizeable federal government contribution in the field since the Green Jobs Illawarra strategy was announced in November 2009.
The strategy was designed to transform the region's manufacturing sector and create thousands of "green jobs".
Green Jobs Illawarra, part of Regional Development Australia, created the consortium that secured the EE3A funding this week.
An RDA spokesman pointed to the flow-on employment possibilities.
The project was a trial that would "reposition our community thinking about engaging and working with local supply chain and industry on low carbon solutions".
"It is not intended to directly create 'green jobs' but to ensure that we provide opportunities for local suppliers to be involved in the project to build and strengthen capability as energy efficiency and associated service specialists," the spokesman said.
"We will be working with Dux [GWA] Group as the only Australian and local manufacturer of solar hot water heaters ... we will be procuring other retrofitting measures and services from local business."
Other consortium partners include the University of Wollongong, Illawarra Retirement Trust, Warrigal Care, Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution, Southern Councils Group, Illawarra Forum and WEA Illawarra.
