Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery spoke of the ongoing importance of industry in the region at this weeks industry showcase hosted by the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net). The timing of the annual showcase was good coming soon after BlueScope Steel chief executive Paul O’Malley visited Wollongong to reveal the steelworks was planning for operational requirements for 10 or 15 years time. It is also considering another blast furnace reline following a turnaround in profitability. Cr Bradbery said the purpose of the showcase was to highlight the local engineering and manufacturing industry’s capacity, capability, wide ranging skills and expertise. He said the Illawarra was not just a pretty place it had industry grunt capable of doing so much. And with the collective approach to working together adopted through i3net over the last decade businesses in this region had the know how and skills to accommodate virtually any project. “Our region has much to offer,” he said.
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Cr Bradbery said the region was bouyed by the recent announcement that BlueScope had made a full year profit of $354 million which was a 160 per cent increase on the previous year.
He acknowledged that did come at a cost.
“When you come to Wollongong...you are dealing with a community that is enthusiastic about its steel industry, heavy industry, manufacturing and engineering. Steel has a future. And I would like to thank all the stakeholders involved in ensuring BlueScope remained viable and will remain viable into the future.”
i3net’s annual industry showcase was held on September 7 and 8 and involved delegates from ANSTO, Sydney Trains, Remondis, Bylong Coal, Worley Parsons, Heron Resources, Snowy Hydro, Vopac Terminals, Navantia, DCNS and Boeing Australia visiting the region.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
