Mayor's plea: don't let the clock run out on Lake in Eraring closure

The Advertiser

a day ago

Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes.
Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy.
He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly.
"Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said.
"We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance."
Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country.
Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy.
While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers
The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset.
"Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald.
"We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition."
The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers.
The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions.
Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift.
"There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said.
"They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses."
Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned.
"We want Eraring to set an example," he said.
"The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running."
Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region.
"If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said.
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes.
Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy.
He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly.
"Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said.
"We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance."
Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country.
Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy.
While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers
The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset.
"Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald.
"We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition."
The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers.
The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions.
Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift.
"There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said.
"They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses."
Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned.
"We want Eraring to set an example," he said.
"The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running."
Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region.
"If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said.
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes.
Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy.
He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly.
"Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said.
"We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance."
Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country.
Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy.
While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers
The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset.
"Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald.
"We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition."
The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers.
The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions.
Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift.
"There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said.
"They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses."
Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned.
"We want Eraring to set an example," he said.
"The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running."
Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region.
"If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said.
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes.
Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy.
He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly.
"Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said.
"We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance."
Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country.
Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy.
While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers
The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset.
"Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald.
"We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition."
The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers.
The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions.
Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift.
"There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said.
"They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses."
Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned.
"We want Eraring to set an example," he said.
"The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running."
Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region.
"If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said.