Avalon set to be ‘hub for flying miner jobs’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A FLY-in-fly-out hub at Avalon Airport will allow Geelong workers to share in Western Australia’s mining boom, according to a company behind the facility.
HWE Mining said the hub would provide jet flights straight to the company’s Pilbara operations as part of a recruitment push in the Geelong region.
But Geelong Manufacturing Council warned the push could lead to short-term skill losses for regional industry.
HWE Mining’s Megan Crust said the company selected Avalon after researching potential fly-in-fly-out hubs along the eastern seaboard.
The mining giant planned to begin the Avalon flights in September.
The largest mining contractor in Australia, HWE Mining is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leighton Contractors.
Ms Crust said the Avalon hub would use an aircraft similar to HWE’s 100-seat jet for Perth-based workers.
The company already had employees flying from Victoria, she said.
“We’re looking for a number of specialist roles in a competitive labour market. “Given its background in manufacturing, we thought we could find the right people around Geelong.”
Ms Crust said HWE was recruiting a variety of skills including mining engineers, heavy machinery operators, health and safety professionals.
Avalon chief Justin Giddings said the airport would have to make changes to its terminal building to accommodate HWE Mining.
“Geelong people will benefit from the higher salaries and establishing a hub here will actually bring families to Geelong to live while retaining access to the mine. Families will see that as a better alternative to living in a high-cost city like Perth.”
Geelong Manufacturing Council executive officer David Peart said manufacturers closely watching the hub plan.
“Geelong has a tight skills market already and this could mean a short-term loss of skills to the region.”
Geelong Chamber of Commerce executive officer Bernadette Uzelac said the city’s training organisations and suppliers could also benefit.
“It’s like attracting an entire new industry without any of the physical infrastructure associated with it.”