WHYALLA WORKERS OFFERED BATTERY PROJECT JOBS AMID STEELWORKS FALLOUT

IMAGE: Supplied

By Jessica Dempster

Renewable energy developer GreenPoint Energy has offered up to 75 construction and technical jobs to former Whyalla Steelworks employees, as efforts continue to find work for those displaced by the blast furnace closure.

The positions are linked to the Koolunga Battery Energy Storage System near Brinkworth, a 200-megawatt project with four hours of storage capacity that is expected to begin operating in early 2028.

GreenPoint says workers with electrical, technical supervision, high-voltage industrial and construction skills could transfer into roles on the project.

However, Federal Member for Grey Tom Venning has criticised the broader jobs response, saying none of the 640 opportunities identified for displaced steelworkers are based in Whyalla itself.

Mr Venning warns workers relocating with their families could deepen the impact on local businesses and communities, while reducing the skilled workforce needed to resume steel production.

The proposed direct-reduced iron and electric arc furnace plant is not expected to restart production until 2030 or later, raising concerns Australia could face a gap of up to five years without domestic structural and rail steelmaking.

Mr Venning is calling on the state and federal governments to explain how they will retain workers and families in Whyalla.