The major union representing Alinta Energy workers has met with State Government ministers today amid what they describe as a crisis in the energy industry.
Alina Energy yesterday confirmed that it had fast-tracked the timeframe for the closure of its Port Augusta power stations and the Leigh Creek coal mine.
In June, the company announced the closure of the operations as early as March next year, but definitely by March 2018.
But the deadline is now March 2017 and a March 2016 is still an option.
Port Augusta City Council has called on both the state and federal governments to provide immediate support.
The closures could cost up to 400 jobs although workers have been promised their full entitlements.
Manufacturing Minister Kyam Maher said the Government had expanded the scope of a “transition plan” for the regions affected.
“A government agency taskforce has had people on the ground in the Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback region talking to communities about their needs and issues,” he said in a statement.
“The vital information gathered is helping to guide the taskforce’s work. The State Government has supported this work with an initial $1 million in funding.
“The immediate issues of concern have been the future of the Leigh Creek township, and the Alinta workforce. The taskforce is now broadening its work to include more communities in the region, including Port Augusta and Whyalla. Input from these communities will be crucial as we formulate a transition plan for the entire region.”
Opposition Leader Steven Marshall accused the Government of being “asleep at the wheel”.
“There is every possibility that Alinta will close well before March 2017 and the Weatherill Government needs to a battle plan in place to ease the devastating impact these job losses will have on Port Augusta and Leigh Creek,” he said.
“Unemployment in the Upper Spencer Gulf is already 11.2 per cent and the communities of the mid-north will need a substantial jobs package in place before the closure of Alinta’s operations if they are to weather this coming storm.
“To date all the Weatherill Government has done is establish a task force develop a response to massive job losses that are racing towards us. Minister Maher needs to appreciate the gravity of the situation and make the development of a coherent response to these devastating job losses his number one priority.”
A short time ago, the Australian Services Union met with Maher and Treasurer and Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis.
ASU secretary Joseph Scales said the Alinta announcement was “a stark reminder of the crisis looming across the entire industry”.
“We have been calling on the federal and state governments to develop an energy industry plan,” he said.
“We need a proper plan which describes how we will generate energy in Australia into the future so that jobs can be transitioned.”
Alinta chief executive Jeff Dimery last night confirmed the revised closure timetable, which had been communicated to employees and key stakeholders.
“Our major focus continues to be on assisting our people through this transition period,” Dimery said in a statement.
“We are working collaboratively with government and unions in developing a package of support services tailored to suit our employees’ needs, in order to provide them the best opportunity to transition to new employment.”
– with AAP
