Jet jobs ‘start of air growth’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
An $800 million jet fighter contract will kick-start expansion of Geelong’s aeronautical industry, according to a councillor.
Rod Macdonald, who holds council’s economic development portfolio, said the opportunities for Avalon from the contract were “immense”.
“This is a terrific opportunity for Geelong and the region. It gives us the ability to be home to a growing aeronautical manufacturing centre,” he said.
“With the plans for Avalon, we’ll look back in 20 years and see we’ve come a long way.”
The Independent revealed last week that Marand Precision Engineering had won the contract to manufacture tail assemblies for a Joint Strike Fighter program, creating 300 jobs.
Marand would also build high-precision ground equipment for strike fighter maintenance.
Cr McDonald said Avalon remained the leading potential site for the $50 million manufacturing facility.
Space was also available at a developing Heales Rd industrial precinct to accommodate the technologically sophisticated 10,000-square-metre facility.
Cr McDonald said the contract would provide spin-off opportunities for other companies in the region.
“As we gain critical mass it gives us more credibility and the opportunities will grow from there. I’m ex-air force and was involved in the project to assemble the FA-18 at Avalon, so I understand the amount of work that can come from such a contract.”
Cr McDonald said the region was ideally positioned to retrain people for the levels of skill required to carry out the fighter work.
“Manufacturing has declined but this gives us a chance to retrain the labour force with aviation industry skills.
“We do face a challenge with skilled tradies in short supply. It means we need to attract new people to the region and train new workers.”
Cr Macdonald said Deakin University was involved in talks on skills training.
Avalon Airport general manager Justin Giddings said management had been in discussions with Marand.
“Avalon would be the premium site, offering security, access to freight routes, testing equipment and no noise concerns,” Mr Giddings said.
“We already have the maintenance facility, the airshow and we’re pushing for (an) aviation training academy.
“We’re speaking to a number of other aviation-related businesses and it would make sense to have it centred at Avalon. The feedback from this State Government on the training academy has been more positive but no decision has been made.”