Renewable energy is driving new manufacturing jobs in Geelong, with wind turbine components now being assembled at the former Ford Motors site.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio officially opened the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (VREH) last week – the first-time wind turbines have been assembled in Australia for more than 10 years.
Over 20 workers are now on site assembling 100 turbine hubs and 50 drive trains for the 180 megawatt Berrybank Wind Farm and the 336 megawatt Dundonnell Wind Farm.
The two new wind farm developments are currently under construction and are supported by the Labor Government’s Victorian Renewable Energy Target Reverse Auction.
“The production line at the old Ford factory is humming again, creating local jobs and building our energy future,” the Premier said.
“It’s the first-time wind turbines have been assembled in Australia in more than a decade and they’re being built right here in Geelong – supporting local workers, businesses and the community.”
Along with the assembly work, the VREH is investing $3.5 million on a range of initatives to plan for the future of the wind industry – including a 700 square-metre Service, Logistics and Training Centre in Grovedale that will service the growing turbine fleet across Western Victoria and house major wind turbine components.
Hundreds of local staff will also be trained in wind turbine maintenance through a partnership with Federation University, while a research partnership with Deakin University will look at further development of carbon fibre for wind turbine blades longer, stronger and more productive.
The world-leading wind turbine manufacturer, Vestas, has partnered with Geelong-based Marand Precision Engineering to establish the VREH and provide a local workforce.
At the same time, students in Geelong now have access to state-of-the-art TAFE facilities so they can get the skills and training they need.
The State Government has invested $10 million in the Gordon student hub and library building.
The upgrade is part of the City Campus Rejuvenation Project, which is rebuilding The Gordon so local students can access world-class facilities to get the high-quality training they need for the most in-demand jobs.
Free TAFE has been a big hit for students across the Geelong Region, with The Gordon experiencing a 41 per cent increase in enrolments – from 734 in June 2018 to 1,032 in June 2019.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has invested more than $1.3 billion to rebuild the state's TAFE and training system.