Region set for green power hub

Jessica Benton
GEELONG has the natural resources and manpower to become a national “green energy hub”, according to industry experts.
The potential has helped prompt a proposal to state and federal governments for $2 million to set up a “one-stop transition shop” for retraining sacked Geelong manufacturing workers for new careers in industries including green-power generation.
Geelong Trades and Labour Council assistant secretary Tim Gooden said the organisation had joined the region’s Local Education and Employment Network and regional councils alliance G21 to push for the funding.
“We want Geelong to house a one-stop shop for skills and careers transition,” Mr Gooden said.
“It’ll be a central point for workers and employers to match up the best resources for what jobs and investments are available. At the moment it’s all scattered between private job networks, government and education facilities.
“I want the government to take the proposal and implement it within months. I’d like to see a shopfront with counselling, support, advice and training services set up.”
Mr Gooden said green energy opportunities should be a major focus to retrain sacked manufacturing workers.
“The focus and money should be mostly going into sponsoring companies and investments that revolve around green energy and sustainable manufacturing products,” he said.
“Alternative energy is a booming industry for the rest of the world and Geelong is the place to start because there’s lots of new investment proposals coming to town.”
The Independent reported last week that Western Australian company Carnegie Corporation was investigating the potential for a wave power plant off the region’s coastline.
Managing director Michael Ottaviano said Geelong’s manufacturing workforce made the city a key contender to become the state’s “hub” for wave energy.
The region has also been earmarked for separate solar, tidal, geothermal and wind power projects.
Member for Corio Richard Marles said the retraining shop proposal and alternative energy industry would work hand-in-hand.
“Geelong has three of the biggest users of brown coal in the country, which means the city has a significant carbon dependency. The challenge is to power the industry into the future in a more carbon-friendly way,” he said.
“We need to look at green energy power, which is a critical ingredient in keeping the skilled workforce in Geelong.”
Mr Marles said he was in talks with Employment Minister Brendan O’Connor and State Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan about the proposal.