By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
SHELL’S refinery sale announcement has prompted Geelong Trades Hall Council to commission a manufacturing industry strategic plan.
Trades hall secretary Tim Gooden said the study would “accept” that Alcoa’s Pt Henry plant would also close in developing recommendations to secure the future of Geelong’s manufacturing base.
“Unions are very concerned by this sudden announcement by Shell to sell … on the back of Blue Circle, Alcoa and Ford all winding back in the last two years.
“There are many smaller companies that rely on work from big industry. Economically, it is crucial for the region and our children will depend on a strong manufacturing sector … they’re not all going to be absorbed into public health or academia.
“Governments can’t just leave all the decisions to the big board rooms. We need an industry plan and a future that is clear for workers.”
Mr Gooden said the study would seek to identify “the real situation” facing Geelong economy and make recommendations to government .
“We want to put a transition plan into place as part of a longer-term strategic plan instead of throwing money at individual projects. All the funds, grants and subsidies are reactions.
Mr Gooden said recommendations could include ideas such as transforming Alcoa’s Point Henry smelter into a carbon fibre manufacturing facility or converting part of Ford’s Norlane factory space to building a carbon fibre vehicle.
The study would build on and include other research in the region as part of Geelong’s transitioning economy, he said.
