An $8 million upgrade to a steel processing centre in Whyalla is set to secure up to 160 jobs and enhance the Spencer Gulf as a manufacturing hub in South Australia.
Ferretti International will deliver the project, with the SA Government providing $2 million from the Regional Growth Fund and the Federal Government providing $750,000 from its Manufacturing Modernisation Fund.
The processing centre will be able to support Whyalla Steel Works and allow steel to be processed in the Spencer Gulf city for the Australian market.
Premier Steven Marshall said the new processing facility would drive economic growth in South Australia.
“Whyalla has a long and proud history of manufacturing in South Australia and this $8 million state-of-the-art steel processing facility will further cement its place on the national and international market,” Marshall said.
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“The new facility will allow steel being processed in Whyalla to increase from 2000 tonnes a year to 1000 tonnes a month.
“Regional South Australia will play a key role in our economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic which is why projects like this one are so important.”
Federal Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews said this project shows what can happen when governments work together to incentivise private businesses to invest.
“The Manufacturing Modernisation Fund is leveraging more than four times our Government’s investment – creating much needed jobs, including in our regional areas,” Andrews said.
SA Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said the project is expected to create 10 jobs during construction and support up to 150 ongoing once the facility is up and running.
“The Regional Growth Fund helps unlock new economic activity and projects such as this one in Whyalla will help our regional communities which have been hurting as a result of the recent bushfires, drought and the ongoing impacts of coronavirus,” he said.
“This new steel processing facility will allow a cost- efficient value add to Whyalla steel allowing local steel to compete with currently imported fabricated steel.
Work is scheduled to begin in the coming months and take up to two years to be fully functioning.