| |
|
|
Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 16 December 2008 MORE THAN 400 JOBS SECURED FOR THE HUNTER REGION The NSW Government has approved a major new mining equipment factory in the Lower Hunter that will secure more than 480 local jobs.
Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay today announced multi-national company Sandvik, which currently operates three factories in the Lower Hunter, will consolidate operations into a new South-East Asian headquarters site at Tomago.
“The approval of the Sandvik development is a shot in the arm for the Hunter region,” Ms McKay said.
“This project has a capital value of $33 million and will secure 300 existing jobs and create an additional 80 jobs during construction and 100 jobs during operation.
“It will provide significant regional benefits, contributing to growth within the Lower Hunter’s mining and manufacturing industries.
“There were concerns that these 300 existing jobs may be lost to the region if this new facility was not approved which is why the Government made this project a priority.”
Ms McKay said the Tomago factory will assemble, repair and maintain mining vehicles and machinery, along with manufacturing tools.
“This project is a positive step for the Hunter economy and the provision of long-term local employment opportunities,” Ms McKay said.
“It is in line with the Government’s plans to deliver more commercial investment to regional areas and more jobs closer to home.
“More jobs closer to home will mean less time travelling, less money spent on fuel and more time at home for Hunter families.”
Ms McKay said the Government sought the advice of an independent ecologist and imposed a number of environmental conditions on the development site.
These include: • avoiding the endangered Swamp Sclerophyll Forest community on the site; • providing a 20 metre vegetated corridor to enable movement of animals across the site, particularly koalas; • providing suitable offsets for the vegetation clearing on the site.
“With any significant industrial development it is important to consider the impact on the immediate environment,” Ms McKay said.
“I am pleased these measures have been addressed by the Department of Planning and that this proposal can be given the green light.”
|