{"id":40371,"date":"2026-08-13T18:22:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T08:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=40371"},"modified":"2026-08-13T18:22:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T08:22:26","slug":"2-5-billion-investment-in-the-hunters-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2026\/08\/13\/2-5-billion-investment-in-the-hunters-future\/","title":{"rendered":"$2.5 billion investment in the Hunter\u2019s future"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than 1,000 Hunter jobs are secure, after the Albanese and the Minns Labor Governments have jointly contributed $2.5 billion to secure the future of aluminium smelting in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The joint investment will deliver a long-term renewable energy solution for the Tomago Aluminium smelter that supports commercially sustainable operations beyond 2028 and accelerates decarbonisation of more than 10 per cent of NSW\u2019s electricity grid, supporting and securing the future of one of the state\u2019s most important industrial assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tomago Aluminium has agreed to invest at least $1.1 billion in the facility as part of the deal. This includes $100 million to drive further decarbonisation activities at the smelter and undertake an innovative demand-response program to support the NSW grid. This demand-response program aims to position the Tomago smelter as the international leader in electricity demand response and flexibility services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of the agreement, the NSW Government\u2019s contribution is capped at $1.225 billion over 10 years from 2029, supporting the long-term future of Tomago and thousands of Hunter jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result, Tomago Aluminium will continue operating beyond the expiry of its current electricity supply contract on 31 December 2028, providing certainty for workers, local businesses and the future of the Hunter region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tomago Aluminium is Australia&#8217;s largest single electricity user. Securing a long-term renewable energy pathway for the smelter is critical to preserving nationally significant industrial capability and strengthens Australia&#8217;s ability to supply the growing global market for low-emissions aluminium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The joint investment will underpin nearly 3 gigawatts of new renewable generation and firming capacity, strengthening the state&#8217;s electricity system and supporting long-term energy affordability and reliability for New South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Australia is one of only a handful of countries with an end-to-end aluminium supply chain, spanning bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting through to advanced manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a major value-added export, aluminium supports jobs, investment and industrial capability while playing a critical role in clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and national infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The arrangements also ensure revenue comes back to the federal government when aluminium prices are high. This means all Australians will\u202fbenefit\u202ffrom\u202fmaintaining\u202fdomestic aluminium capability and sovereignty, with the added benefit of a monetary return on investment from our governments&#8217; contributions should aluminium prices rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This joint investment from the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments will secure 1,000 direct jobs at Tomago aluminium and 5,000 indirect jobs across the Hunter region, supporting a stronger and more resilient industrial future for New South Wales and Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn December last year I stood in the rain at Tomago and told the workers \u2018we have your back\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cToday, alongside the NSW Government, we deliver on that promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis site isn\u2019t just important for Newcastle and the Hunter, it\u2019s a critical asset for the country and our manufacturing future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m proud of the work we\u2019ve done with the company, with the Minns Labor Government, with local members and with the workers here on site to secure Tomago\u2019s future beyond 2028.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New South Wales Premier Chris Minns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is a good day for the Hunter. This agreement secures more than 1,000 jobs at Tomago and thousands more that rely on the smelter, and gives the region certainty about its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI want to thank the Prime Minister and the Commonwealth Government. We\u2019ve worked closely together to get to this point and deliver an agreement that to find a way through and secure the future of Tomago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Hunter has powered NSW and helped build this country for generations. This agreement is about making sure it remains an industrial and manufacturing powerhouse for generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is part of our bigger plan for the Hunter, securing the good jobs and industries that are here today, while investing $12 billion to bring train manufacturing back to the Hunter and create good, secure jobs for decades to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAustralia\u2019s end to end aluminium industry &#8211; from bauxite to complex aluminium finished products &#8211; is critical for Australia\u2019s national resilience. Tomago is Australia\u2019s largest and youngest smelter and is crucial to Australia\u2019s industrial future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201dKeeping this capability here in Australia matters. It makes our economy stronger, drives new electricity projects and maintains thousands of good quality blue collar and engineering jobs right here in the Hunter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Albanese Government is delivering a Future Made in the Hunter: good regional jobs, more industrial and energy investment and stronger regional economies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Tomago Aluminium has made it clear: to remain competitive and secure its future the smelter needs a reliable and affordable supply of renewable energy, with ageing coal-fired power options being prohibitively expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We&#8217;re fighting for the regions and bringing more renewables online faster \u2013 so we can deliver the modern and affordable energy grid Australian&#8217;s deserve and industry needs.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis investment secures more than 1,000 local jobs and connects key manufacturing to a long-term pathway to run on renewable energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt shows we can protect the industries and workers that power the Hunter while building a cleaner energy future in NSW.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHunter workers and their families deserve certainty, and we have delivered it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSecuring Tomago means securing jobs, skills and the future of our region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe said these jobs are worth fighting for and today that fight has delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Hunter builds things and it powers our state. We have the skills, the workers and the industrial muscle, and I am incredibly proud to be part of a government that is willing to back the Hunter and everything we have to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Hunter workers have helped make Tomago Aluminium one of Australia\u2019s most important manufacturing assets, and today\u2019s announcement provides certainty for the people, families and businesses who depend on it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs demand for aluminium continues to grow worldwide, with forecasts suggesting we\u2019ll need around 40 percent more of it in the future, it is critical that Australia remains a producer and manufacturer of this essential material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We\u2019re protecting local jobs, supporting local industry and ensuring the Hunter remains a manufacturing powerhouse for decades to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This is a massive investment in local families and our local economy. Tomago Aluminium is one of the largest employers in Port Stephens, and securing its future has been an absolute priority for me and the Minns Labor Government.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>More than 1,000 Hunter jobs are secure, after the Albanese and the Minns Labor Governments have jointly contributed $2.5 billion to secure the future of aluminium smelting in the region. The joint investment will deliver a long-term renewable energy solution for the Tomago Aluminium smelter that supports commercially sustainable operations beyond 2028 and accelerates decarbonisation &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2026\/08\/13\/2-5-billion-investment-in-the-hunters-future\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;$2.5 billion investment in the Hunter\u2019s future&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newcastle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40371"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40372,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40371\/revisions\/40372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}