Newcastle Independent candidate calls for renewable energy in Hunter Valley
Independent calls for renewable energy manufacturing in Hunter Manufacturers Monthly, 30 August, 2013 Matt McDonald The former Kurri Kurri Aluminium Smelter site should be transformed into a hub of renewable energy manufacturing.
As the Maitland mercury reports, this is the opinion of Independent candidate for Newcastle Rod Holding.
Mr Holding believes the smelter site wNDIDATE CALLS FOR ould be a good starting point to his plan to transform other industrial areas in the electorate into renewable energy manufacturing hubs.
“It wouldn’t take a lot of money for the factories to be transformed so they could make generators or turbines,” Mr Holding said.
“There’s no reason why Newcastle can’t start exporting this technology to get away from the global warming fossil fuel disaster that’s ahead of us.”
He said that the plan would create local jobs, boost the regional economy, and also provide the Hunter with an alternative export to coal. Mr Holding said that, if elected, he would probably vote with the Greens in the House of Representatives…. http://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/independent-calls-for-renewable-energy-manufacturi
1 Comment »
Leave a comment
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 
Shiny Futures
Australian manufacturers will need to prepare for patents to expire on the 3D printing technology called ‘Selective Laser Sintering ‘. This will happen during February 2014 and it’s been this patent regime that has raised the costs of this new industry and prohibited its mainstream development. This printing process accurately copies complex parts using the high strength alloy of Nickel Chromium and these metals are able to withstand extremely hot operating temperatures. NASA has already printed rocket parts and successfully flight tested them in Hydrogen engines, while GE and other major aero-space corporations also plan to produce parts for jet engines in this way. As our planet continues to heat from the final gasps of the fossil fuel economy, the Hunter region must redesign its manufacturing base. Rather than squandering scarce resources on ripping up rail infrastructure or wasteful military gravy trains, a quick investment in 3D infrastructure can secure our future. Newcastle’s heavy Industries still has the capabilities to forge large components and now is the time for enterprises to retool with versatile 3D printers for completing the process. Breaking free from the financial drain in the dependence of imports’ Selective Laser Sintering’ creates jobs here and robotic assembling gives us an advantage over the slave sweat shops elsewhere. Designing intricate parts in new technologies makes creativity an important resource that we have in abundance. Flexibility in output link to economies of scale and allows 3D print workshops to offer cooperative ways for workers to operate as collective owners. Soft loans to unemployed workers for buying into 3D printing can integrate the means of production to benefit their local communities by trading parts to the global village. A coordinated approach is needed and maximising future productivity from open source geometrical programming gives us the independences to compete, Newcastle really can’t afford to miss the boat.
Rod Holding
Federal Independent Candidate for the seat of Newcastle, Australia.
LikeLike