Daniel Rossetto, University of Adelaide Financial challenges at the Whyalla steelworks in South Australia have reignited debate about the nation’s steel industry and its future. Australians should have access to quality steel at competitive prices. The domestic steel production industry employs tens of thousands of people. The state and federal governments have stepped in, however,…
Workspace Commercial Furniture, a 114-year-old business based at the Adelaide suburb of Melrose Park, has launched the expansion of production and warehousing at its headquarters as well as a new “take back” program for used furniture. According to a statement from the company on Monday, the expansion would allow it to “increase output and meet…
Five projects linking defence industry companies with researchers have each been awarded up to $250,000 through the Queensland Defence Science Alliance’s (QDSA) 2024 Collaborative Research Grants (CRG.) According to a statement from Defence on Monday, the projects are funded over 18, and cumulatively worth $3 million once co-funding from participants is included. Projects are listed…
Spirits maker Sydney Rum Distillery has said it will move into the site of the old Oak milk factory at Muswellbrook, with plans to have its distillery running later this year. In a statement on Friday, the boutique distiller, which was established in 2015, said it aimed to capitalise on the growing international reputation for…
Gilmour Space Technologies has shared a launch window for the maiden flight of its Eris rocket, starting “no earlier than” March 15. In a statement to media on Monday, the Gold Coast-based rocket maker and launch services provider said the news followed the last remaining hurdle before launch, its recent final airspace approvals from the…
By Changlong Wang, Monash University and Stuart Walsh, Monash University Hydrogen was once sold as a universal climate fix — a clean, green wonder fuel for cars, homes, power grids and even global export. But reality has cooled that buzz. This week, the South Australian government shelved plans for a A$593 million hydrogen power plant,…
A newly-announced project led by Space Machines Company (SMC), which is developing vehicles for in-space servicing of satellites, is aiming to develop an orbital robotics testbed. According to a statement from SMC on Friday, the project aims “to develop a ground-based proximity operations robotic test bed for space-borne perception and intelligence targeted at [on-orbit servicing],…
By Geoffrey Brooks, Swinburne University of Technology Whyalla is a proud steel town. The steelworks physically dominates the townscape, and most jobs in the town are either directly at the steelworks or heavily reliant on it. In recent months, however, the steelworks have lurched from one setback to another, from serious technical problems that forced…
The federal government has announced a $1 billion Green Iron Fund, aimed at encouraging investment in green iron and steel production at new and existing sites, with half of this money to aid in the transition of the collapsed Whyalla steelworks in South Australia. In a statement on Thursday – coinciding with a broader package…
The federal and South Australian governments have announced $2.4 billion in support for the Whyalla Steelworks, following the SA government’s move on Wednesday to put the site’s owner in administration. In a statement on Thursday, it was revealed that the assistance will come in “three distinct parts”, comprising $100 million in immediate on-the-ground support, $384…