The Minns Labor Government has announced a $28 million investment to establish a Renewables Manufacturing Hub in Blacktown, a project expected to anchor new jobs and strengthen local industrial capability in Western Sydney.
According to the NSW Government, the new hub will create 143 full-time roles over the course of the project, helping position the region as a key supplier to the renewable energy industry.
In addition to the government funding, Sell & Parker will co-invest $38 million to operate the facility, bringing the total investment to $66 million.
The Australian-owned company has a 60-year history in the steel industry and currently operates a site in Smithfield.
“The Minns Labor Government is driving new jobs and this new Renewables Manufacturing Hub is a perfect example of the way NSW is building the industries of the future right here at home,” said Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe.
“This facility will not only deliver the steel components needed for renewable energy projects across the state, but it will also strengthen Western Sydney’s role as a powerhouse of innovation and manufacturing.”
Once complete, the Blacktown hub will produce 780 turbine anchors annually for the wind sector, thousands of torque tubes, mounts and brackets for solar farms, and 200 monopoles for transmission infrastructure. It is also projected to manufacture 46,000 tonnes of competitively priced steel each year.
“This investment grows the local supply chains needed to create more jobs across Western Sydney,” said Hugh McDermott, Member for Prospect.
“We’re proud to make this announcement at Sell & Parker’s existing plant at Smithfield, which gives us a snapshot of the technology and jobs its new hub will deliver for our region.”
Stephen Bali, Member for Blacktown, said the project marks an important step in the state’s transition. “This $28 million investment is fantastic news for Blacktown and another step on our path to Net Zero emissions by 2050,” he said.
“It means more jobs, more opportunities for our local workforce, and a stronger role for Western Sydney in building the renewable energy future.”
Sell & Parker’s Group General Manager Simon Preston said the project would accelerate domestic supply of renewable energy components.
“Fast-tracking our build of steel turbine anchors, solar trackers components and transmission monopoles means we can supply more renewable projects with Aussie steel made right here in Western Sydney,” Preston said.
The funding is part of the Renewable Manufacturing Construction Ready Stream of the NSW Government’s $480 million Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, aimed at helping local businesses scale up to meet growing demand for renewable energy components and low-carbon products.
For more information, visit energy.nsw.gov.au/NetZeroManufacturing.
