Recent news that BlueScope Steel may investigate shutting its Port Kembla manufacturing operations has sparked several Illawarra campaigns to keep jobs in the region.

The South Coast Labour Council is spearheading one push to force governments to use Australian steel, while a Unanderra industrial facility is behind another.

Ian Waters, of K&R Fabrications, started a petition several weeks ago asking the government to use ‘‘only good quality Australian steel’’ in infrastructure projects.

The petition has now ticked over 6300 signatures, closing in on the 10,000 required to compel a debate of the proposal on the floor of Parliament.

‘‘We have had personal experience where poor quality imported steel has had massive defects, and is a big safety risk. You realise the workers overseas don’t have the same ethical boundaries we have got, and the playing field is not level or fair,’’ Mr Waters said.

‘‘We are basically totally dependent on the steelworks, and can see everyone is importing this lower grade steel. I thought with all this infrastructure work going on, we should be using Australian steel.’’

Mr Waters said the petition quickly passed the 500 signature goal he had set, and was now gunning for a parliamentary debate.

‘‘[Ten thousand signatures] will trigger the scenario that the house has to talk about it, and we’ll be there to watch it and see if they are fair dinkum about saving the steelworks,’’ he said.

Mr Waters on Monday had a meeting planned with Kiama MP Gareth Ward, and said he would speak to Keira MP Ryan Park later this week, to garner their support for his push.

The petition can be found and signed at Hardware Man stores in Unanderra and Bulli. Mr Waters said he hopes to achieve the 10,000 signatures within the week.