Blast Furnace 6 Reline

I support the project that will support the illawarra

A great project which is significant to the Illawarra and its community, NSW and Australia. Important for the future of the Australian steel and manufacturing industry which will support generations of workers into the future.

BlueScope is an important contributor to the local, state and national economy, employing thousands of people. BlueScope is a high quality and responsible manufacturer of steel products and must be allowed to continue to operate its facility at Port Kembla. The blast furnace reline is a key enabler of continued operations at Port Kembla.

This project will secure the future of Wollongong, Australia’s industrial base and sovereign capability

This is an excellent project that will provide a great benefit to the environment being more environmentally efficient than the current No 5 blast furnace. It was also provide much needed jobs in the Illawarra area. This project will also secure the future of Australian Steel Manufacturing for the next 20-30years, along with tens of thousands of direct and indirectly related jobs.

Understand this is currently a carbon intensive industry, however Bluescope + Australia are showing strong commitments to improving through new technologies, more so than many others. Australian environmental standards are much better than a lot of steelmaking countries. Steel made overseas would often use just as much if not more carbon, then increase the energy requirements needed to ship into Australia. The economic and security benefits of having a local steel industry to Australia and the Illawarra region itself are huge. I believe they far outweigh the energy and carbon 'reduction' of not making steel locally; as really this just moves the carbon usage overseas and hides the problem, then we have no governance on the environmental controls of the overseas made steel. Hopefully improvments in the steelmaking industry mean in the coming years there is lower carbon intensive methods for steelmaking. However direct reduction technologies etc, are not mature enough on a commercial scale to be viable options at this point in time. We are highly reliant on steel, I believe relining an existing blast furnace plus including hydrogen injection capabilities and further research by BlueScope to be ready for new technologies for next campaign is the most balanced and realistic option and I fully support it.

It will provide employment ( direct and indirect) for people in the Illawarra, Australia and in manufacturing organisations around the world.
The project will support, encourage and utilise environmental improvements in the steel industry.
It maintains a steel making capability in Australia.

I support the No. 6 Blast Furnace Reline Project, as it is critically required to maintain ironmaking and consequently steelmaking at the Port Kembla Steelworks when No. 5 Blast Furnace reaches the end of its operating life in the mid/late 2020s, as there are no commercially viable alternatives at an industrial scale currently available.
Importantly, whilst the required breakthrough technologies are developed, BlueScope has committed to significant investment to reduce its GHG emissions compared to current Blast Furnace operations, through $80 million of improvements. Furthermore, the continuation of steelmaking will support significant employment in the local region through direct and indirect employment of around 10,000 people. BlueScope have also committed to maximising the use of local contractors and suppliers.

In summary, this project is a critical step in maintaining ironmaking and steelmaking in Australia whilst the technology required for the transition to low carbon processes are developed. It is understood that there will be impacts from the project, however, the overall benefits, including the significant social and economic benefits through continued and new employment, far outweigh those impacts.

The reline for No. 6 Blast furnace must go ahead to guarantee the Port Kembla steelworks can continue making steel when Blast furnace 5 completes its current campaign. If Port Kembla Steel making ceases to operate then Whyalla will be the only plant in the country making steel. The Port Kembla steelworks is an integral part of the Illawarra economy providing direct and indirect employment to local families.

I support the project and believe the socio-economic returns out way the environmental impact. The project also has major investment in technologies aimed at reducing environmental impacts. We need to support local industry and continued investment in local jobs / community. On a national level, we need to support value add industries and keep steel production within Australia.

This project is critical to steelmaking activities within Australia and will have a direct impact on a large number of local businesses and industries in regards to creating jobs for the local community. I fully support this project going ahead

The No.6 Blast Furnace Reline is a project that will secure long term employment for thousands of people in the Illawarra for approximately the next 20 years. The Illawarra has a long history in manufacturing steel at the Steelworks and the Steelworks still plays a big role in the lives of its people. The project is also heavily involved in reducing the carbon footprint of the steelworks which will make it a much greener workplace for the environment. If the project does not go ahead then Steelmaking at Port Kembla will stop, thousands of jobs will be lost and the flow on effect to the greater Illawarra will be devastating. The project needs to go ahead not just for BlueScope but the entire Illawarra.

I support the project.

I support the project to reline No6 Blast Furnace at the Port Kembla Steelworks and believe that in allowing the project to proceed will secure the ongoing supply of steel to specific areas of the local Australian steel markets and manufacturing sectors for the next 15 - 20 years in a market that is consistently influenced by external international forces.
The reline and subsequent continuation of the steel industry in the Wollongong area will enable Australia to continue to have a level of independence in relation to manufacturing that is quickly diminishing in other areas and markets within Australia.
Additionally by securing the ability of the business to operate, it enables continuation of employment opportunities directly and indirectly in the Illawarra and Sydney areas which in turn provides an excellent training ground for personnel in a multitude of careers to flourish.

The project will create 250 jobs in the local area and continue employment for thousands of people in the Illawarra.

Bluescope also supports many local suppliers, businesses and community groups which would be greatly affected if the project did not go ahead.

This project, if approved, will ensure future for 10000 direct jobs/employees and another 20000 - 30000 immediate family members and also will create 250 new jobs during construction period using local contractors and Australian suppliers. Also this project will incorporate numerous environmental improvement upgrades for minimal impact.
Importantly is that this project will ensure production of high quality, proudly 'Australian Made' steel for years to come for ours roofs, fences, etc..., and ensure future of Colorbond. Additionally it will ensure that Australia won't be dependent on a cheap, low quality imported steel.
Please ensure our future by approving this project!

I have previously made a submission today, but did not attach the Political donations disclosure statement.

I fully and wholeheartedly support the BlueScope No. 6 Blast Furnace Reline Project. This project ensures Australia maintains an Australian owned and operated fully integrated steel manufacturing plant that supports both local communities and our national interests. In these uncertain times it is more critical than ever that we maintain the ability to manufacture and produce goods in Australia where we as a nation have direct control over the entire manufacturing, processing and logistics stages. The COVID 19 pandemic has demonstrated how easily international supply chains can be disrupted and therefore we must maintain independence in manufacturing capacity, skill and expertise.
The manufacture, processing, dispatch and logistics of producing steel in Australia supports a large number of communities either directly or indirectly across the entire continent. Ceasing production of steel in Port Kembla not only harms the local community but will have far and wide reaching impacts on businesses, communities and consumers in general.
Steel is a readily recyclable commodity which will be required for all minor and major infrastructure projects required to transition to a green economy and maintain our current standards of living. It is senseless to take the stance that we should import this highly sort after commodity from international suppliers. In transitioning to a green economy it abhorrent to consider the importation of steel, manufactured from Iron Ore likely produced in Australia, shipped to another continent and then shipped back to Australia. The steel should be produced here, under our Government’s stringent environmental controls and then used here to build our future.
I live in the Illawarra and can see firsthand the positive impact the Port Kembla Steelworks has on our communities and families. Again, I fully and wholeheartedly support this project as the long term implications on our countries sovereignty, communities and families is too great to ignore.

I FULLY SUPPORT THE PROJECT.

I support this project as it provides major employment for both BlueScope employees and external contractors, as well as being an asset to the economy both locally and nationally.