Blast Furnace 6 Reline

I’m supporting this major project on behalf of the community it will stimulate and support greatfully

The project is good for local jobs and business allowing continued growth in the local region

Good for jobs

I support the project

This project will support the security of thousands of Australian jobs and provide critical
Materials to sustain our economy and sovereign capability. It is clear that with the current technology available this project will do the best it can to optimise green house gases and be able to adopt improved technologies should
They become viable.

Firstly, it is important that I identify myself. I am an environmentally concerned, progressive and realistic young person who studies at UOW, is employed at the steel works and has lived in the Illawarra community for all of my life.
Although it is without question that existing iron and steelmaking technologies are coming toward the end of their feasible lifetimes due to many factors (primarily environmental), there still has to be due consideration of the alternative approaches to steel supply for our nation.
If the No. 6 BF reline project were to not go ahead, Australia's demand for steel would not reduce, the supply would just come from overseas. Although we have a great history of applying the out of sight, out of mind mentality, the importation of cheap iron and steel doesn't solve any environmental issues. In the short term these carbon emissions reductions will appear to have occurred, and if the population and governments aim is to simply not have the emissions on our books then maybe the closure of the steelworks is a good idea. However, if the aim is a longer term goal to reduce emissions and begin restoring the balance of the Earths environments and ecosystems through carbon emission reduction, then the importing of internationally manufactured steel is not the answer and has the compounding effect of impacting many local jobs and sacrificing national security in addition to losing the ability to control emissions.
As a current student studying metallurgy (including sustainability) I believe that current proposed intentions for the 6 Blast Furnace project is as close to environmentally friendly as it can be given the fundamental constraints of the existing infrastructure and industry-ready technologies. I strongly believe that 6BF is not the solution but will act as a stepping stone toward green steel manufacturing and will provide bluescope the opportunity to maintain the rich history of port Kembla ironmaking during this transition. If the alternative is to wait until technologies such as DRI are ready and PKSW is mothballed until then, I firmly believe that we will never see steel manufacturing in the region again.
When people who generally oppose primary manufacturing in Australia disagree, i think it is important to understand the role of steel in Australia, and the already limited capacity we have for its manufacture. We must ask ourselves, what do all of the current renewable energy sources have in common? The answer (among many others) is steel! We simply cannot manufacture a wind turbine, a solar panel or a hydroelectric pump without steel and to have a realistic vision that for a sustainable future, the continued production of steel in Australia is likely required.
I firmly believe that the government/EPA/community should demand nothing but the most stringent environmental controls of bluescope in all its operations. Its value to the country should not be an excuse for reckless decision making and environmental mismanagement.
My biggest hope is that everyone involved in the decision making process has a vision for our community and nation that’s greater than the next 5-10 years. Limiting ourselves by choosing the short term profit option has never paid off in the long term, it lines the pockets of those involved before they run off to the next industry to bury in the ground. If recent history of Australian decision making is used as the benchmark, long term goals do not seem likely, but I truly hope this can be an exception.
Sincerely,
Zac

An essential project for the Illawarra region. Ensures viability of the Steel Industry a major essential industry for Australia

The reline of number 6 blast furnace is a project of national significance. As a nation it is imperative we maintain our steel making capability whilst looking to the future in terms of developing green steel production. BlueScope has committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and are working in conjunction with partners on developing a pathway towards green steel production in Australia, the reline of the number 6 blast furnace will contribute significantly towards this goal.
As a father of 6 daughters, and soon to be grandfather I'm conscience of the legacy we leave behind for future generations. We simply cannot afford to lose our manufacturing base and the opportunities this provides for the future. A future that I hope will be built with Australian made steel.

This project should go ahead so the port kembla steelworks can stay open. Allowing Bluescope to also continue with their joint venture with Rio Tinto to create the new form of iron using hydrogen etc. We will continue to need steel in the future and the new method may be the best way forward but without the reline would lead to no steel production anf thus no need for Bluescope to develop this new technology, well at least not in Australia

As current employee working at BlueScope Steel, I greatly value the investment BSL is making in its future by embarking on the Blast Furnace 6 Reline. I have always found BlueScope to be diligent in their projects ensuring that they add value to the community while protecting the environment and ensuring safety is their top priority. The Blast Furnace 6 Reline is a project that I believe is of critical importance to the nation of the Australia.

This project is very important for both the business, the economy and Australia. Our country needs a steel producer and with new technologies the process will be much cleaner and more efficient.

This is an important project to move forward for the jobs and livelihoods of the people that work at Bluescope and contracting firms. This also secures the ability of Australia to make steel.

Bluescope is a very environmentally aware company. This blast furnace will create miniscule amounts of carbon emissions compared to the rest of the world. This project will provide countless jobs for the Illawarra and beyond

Keep Australian jobs alive with Australian companies, their suppliers and customers.

This project will be a huge benefit to the economy of the region and the country.

I support No6BF Reline project and would like to see it succeed. My first year working at BlueScope Steel was at No6BF in 2009 and it was such a shame to see it get shutdown in 2011. It would be nice to re-visit it when it is back up and running.

This will promote industrial growth and support the local industry.

A steel company that requires this Blast Furnace to allow them to transition to a green steel facility. Has to be a winner for everybody.

Port Kembla Gateway Pty Limited (PKG) has been operating maritime shipping terminal in Port Kembla since the late 1980s PKG manages rail siding and a 360m Jetty in Port Kembla and handles the approximately 450,000 tonnes p.a. of mineral concentrate, approximately 800,000 tonnes p.a. of cement clinker which is imported by Cement Australia for their Port Kembla Mill (the cement provided covers a large component of the Sydney and southern NSW market). Other materials including coal tar, gypsum, fertilisers, scrap steel and general cargo.
PKG is a close neighbour to the Bluescope steelworks and we have no reservations about fully supporting the development. We are confident from our experience of over 30 years in Port Kembla that there will be no detrimental effects on the environment from this proposal. Our facility borders the Bluescope steelworks on its southeast boundary, and we can support the proposed blast furnace reline with no reservations because our experience with our neighbour has always been good.
We anticipate many benefits to existing businesses and industries in the region. Bluescope Steel supports many local businesses through its purchases of materials and services. There will be a significant boost to employment in the region, both during construction and ongoing from the proposed blast furnace reline. As long-term stakeholders in the local community we have observed many environmental improvements made by Bluescope over the years, some of these include leading the way in industrial waste management, additional air monitoring in the community and the improvement in the water quality entering the Port Kembla harbour.
Bluescope is a good corporate citizen (committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050) and has an outstanding record of proven benefits to Port Kembla and the region.

I am happy to discuss if you need additional information regarding our support for this proposal.

BlueScope Steel provides employment to a large portion of Illawarra residents either directly or indirectly. Blast Furnace 6 Reline is the only option to ensure that Port Kembla continues to operate past the end of Blast Furnace 5's operational life. Failure to reline Blast Furnace 6 would result in the loss of thousands of local jobs, with many of those made redundant not having the required skill set to find other suitable employment (eg 30 years experience as a Blast Furnace operator is not relevant to any other job).

I would also have concerns about failing to reline Blast Furnace 6 and what that would mean to Australia's steel supply security. Relying on imported coil is risky for security of supply, and may be disrupted in event of future pandemics, wars, foreign relations etc.

Therefore I wholeheartedly support the project.