NSW

Photon Energy has revealed its plans for a 316W solar plant in Gunning, which would be the biggest solar power plant in NSW. The project is intended to help Australia meet its Renewable Energy Target and assist in the transition from coal to renewable energy. It will involve the construction of hundreds of thousands of … Continue reading Proposal for $380m solar farm in southern NSW →

The Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Sinodinos, minister for industry said the Government had identified the value of cyber security and was building a local industry and R&D expertise in the sector. “Cyber security is a great example of where Australia can build on the strengths we have with some of the best people … Continue reading Strengthening Australia’s cybersecurity →

Parliamentary Secretary for the South Coast Gareth Ward has announced that Nowra company Global Defence Solutions has been recognised with a national award for manufacturing mobile kitchens for the Australian Defence Force. Ward said that Global Defence Solutions (GDS) took out an award for projects worth under $50 million at The Defence + Industry Conference … Continue reading Nowra company recognised for RAAF manufacturing →

The 2017 NSW Budget has been revealed, including $72.7 billion for infrastructure and $96 million to support local businesses. Here is a breakdown: Infrastructure $7.2 billion in Government investment for the third stage of WestConnex, including the M4-M5 link $4.9 billion across four years for Sydney Metro City and South West $3.5 billion across four years … Continue reading NSW Budget: $73b for infrastructure and $96m for local businesses →

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific $460,000, after a misplaced pipe and a valve failure resulted in toxic wastewater flowing onto a neighbouring farm, waterlogging a paddock and killing livestock. Dyno Nobel produces nitrate products used in explosives. In January and February 2015, work on Dyno’s on-site wastewater collection … Continue reading Explosives manufacturer fined $460,000 for livestock death →

The Hunter region, particularly Newcastle, is seeing improved manufacturing employment and investment figures, according to the latest State of the Regions report.  In the coastal half of the Hunter, 23,295 people were found to be employed in manufacturing in 2017, compared with 21,499 in 2012 and 17,832 in 2002. According to the report’s co-author Dr … Continue reading Hunter manufacturing returning to pre-mining boom state →

South Korea’s JB Asset Management has put in its bid alongside private equity firm Newlake Alliance for the Arrium Australia assets which include the Whyalla steelworks, according to a report by the AFR. The report mentioned that the Korean consortium is also proposing a 200 megawatt gas-fired power plant be built as part of the proposal which would not … Continue reading JB Asset Management $5.3b backing of Newlake’s Arrium bid →

Borg Manufacturing has received approval from the State Government to expand its medium density fibreboard (MDF) facility in Oberon, NSW. The $106 million expansion will result in the addition of $51 million to the local economy, creating 230 construction jobs and 70 new permanent jobs at the facility, according to the Department of Planning and … Continue reading NSW timber plant expansion to create hundreds of jobs →

The new multi-million dollar expansion of the Albatross Aviation Technology Park will set the Shoalhaven defence industry on a new path to growth, according to NSW Minister for Trade and Industry, Niall Blair. Blair joined Member for Kiama and Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra, Gareth Ward in Nowra last week to tour the expanded facilities. “This facility … Continue reading NSW aviation park expansion an opportunity for local companies →

The Federal Court has handed down a decision that will increase electricity prices for NSW customers by around $3 billion. According to environment and energy minister Josh Frydenberg, this reaffirms the Turnbull Government’s position of wanting to abolish the Limited Merits Review (LMR) process to stop network businesses gaming the system. The Australian Energy Regulator … Continue reading Electricity prices to increase $3b for NSW consumers →

From July this year, there will be a significant increase in wholesale electricity prices for NSW. This has sparked fears that the cost of doing business in the state will be so high that manufacturers will be forced out. While NSW wholesale electricity prices were stable for a number of years, prices have increased by … Continue reading Rising wholesale electricity prices will threaten NSW businesses →

CommSec has released its latest quarterly report revealing the economic performance of Australian states. The report analyses eight key indicators: economic growth; retail spending; business investment; unemployment; construction work done; population growth; housing finance and dwelling commencements. According to CommSec chief economist Craig James, the latest data indicates a multi-speed national economy. NSW remains on top, … Continue reading NSW continues to dominate Australia’s economic performance →

Workers at the Real Pet Food factory in Dubbo have won pay rises of up to 30 per cent in a new union agreement. A four-year agreement was negotiated between the Real Pet Food Company and Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, resulting in pay rises for its (approximate) 100 employees. Depending on their shift, some workers … Continue reading NSW pet food factory workers win pay rise →

The Queensland government’s gas pilot program provides good template for how gas could be developed on Australia’s eastern seaboard, according to Manufacturing Australia. The program provides a piece of land in the Surat Basin for gas extraction solely by domestic companies and manufacturers. “If gas intensive manufacturing is to continue in Australia we need more … Continue reading Queensland government gas pilot program shows the way →

Most robots achieve grasping and tactile sensing through motorised means, which can be excessively bulky and rigid. A Cornell group has devised a way for a soft robot to feel its surroundings internally, in much the same way humans do. A group led by Robert Shepherd, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and principal … Continue reading Engineers develop robot with human-like tactile senses →

Faro Technologies, a global technology company that develops and markets computer-aided coordinate measurement devices and software, opens its new office in Brisbane, Australia. This move is part of Faro’s long-term growth plan and to increase its footprint in Asia Pacific. Faro’s customer base in Australia and New Zealand is growing. As such, this expansion is … Continue reading Faro expands into Queensland →

Industry minister Greg Hunt met with executives from some of Australia’s major energy companies yesterday to discuss the “looming shortage” of the resource for manufacturers.

According to a story this morning in the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Incitec Pivot CEO James Fazzino said while the outlook for commodity prices is more positive than six months ago, he still expects challenging conditions for the company to persist into 2017. “The markets were tough given the downturn in the global resources industry … Continue reading Incitec still nervous about its recovery →

The Australian Food and Grocery Council releases its State of the Industry annual report today, and despite a healthy growth in export figures, has pointed to a strain on the industry through energy costs.

A half-century-old recreational vehicle manufacturer in western Sydney is struggling to find employees to fill vacancies, it has said.