Outcome of forum on future of Mitsubishi site
March 18th, 2008 by KrisIt was clear from the community forum I organised on the future of the Mitsubishi Tonsley site that locals are keen on developing renewable energy technology on the site, possibly in connection with ‘green’ vehicles. Another proposal was for a road /rail interchange using the Tonsley rail line. Such a transport link would take pressure off South Road and provide a handy transport option for locals.
The reaction of Council and State Government representatives at the forum was that Mitsubishi land is “too valuable” for anything but industrial use. However, I think we can have the best of both worlds here – clean green manufacturing and a first class link to our public transport system.
Following are notes taken at the forum:
NOTES FROM COMMUNITY FORUM
Brainstorming session on ideas for future use of the 64-hectare Tonsley site:
- Manufacturing site for energy-efficient engines for cars, buses and trucks. Leading centre for research and manufacture of engines using renewable energy sources such as solar, hydrogen.
- Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) to develop new industries in renewable energies.
- Manufacturing centre for re-fitting existing cars to run on electrical power.
- Existing car parking space could be used as a public transport interchange in which motorists travelling north into the city could leave their cars at Tonsley and take express trains or buses into Adelaide.
- At the moment the Tonsley railway line is broad gauge for transport only. It may need to be changed to standard gauge to link it with freight network to make the site more attractive to exporting industries.
Speakers:
Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis, City of Marion
- Marion Council is determined to keep the Tonsley site as industrial. In a recent survey some 420 hectares was available as industrial land in Adelaide. There was none available in Marion Council.
- The development of the Tonsley site should not be seen in isolation. It’s an opportunity to develop the economic potential of the southern suburbs.
- Nearby are Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre and Science Park. An economic development plan should involve their potential.
- Not keen on a rail/bus interchange for the site as this industrial land is too valuable to have cars parking there. The proposed South/Sturt Roads underpass has potential to improve the flow of traffic from the south.
- Transport is not adequate in the southern suburbs and this, and improved access to broadband services, must be addressed.
Hon John Hill MP, Minister for the Southern Suburbs
- The Mitsubishi site is 64 hectares over 9 titles.
- The State Government would not wish to see the site inactive.
- The Government is keen to influence the economic development of the site. This is an opportunity to develop a multi-purpose plan, not just a single user. If the site is sold to a single user we could find ourselves in the same situation in 30-40 years when this industry decides to move on.
- The State Government has access to $85million of State and Federal funds, plus the return of a loan given to Mitsubishi, to develop potential of the site.
- The State Government has confirmed that its funds will be spent in the southern suburbs, whereas the Federal Government has said it’s contribution will “focus on the south”.
- There needs to be an assessment of the value of the assets on the site: “What’s worth keeping and what should be pulled down.”
- A coordination group has been formed, chaired by the Minister, to look at potential not only of the Mitsubishi site, but all the area including Flinders University and Science Park.
- The State Government’s first priority is to the workers who have lost their jobs at Mitsubishi.
- Funds will be available to existing companies with feasible plans for expanding their businesses into the south. Of these funds approximately $5million will be earmarked for small business.
Prof Andrew Beer, Flinders University’s School of Geography, Population and Environmental Management
- The major problem for workers who lost their jobs when Mitsubishi closed its Lonsdale plant was access to full time employment.
- 72 per cent of retrenched workers had their income reduced; 20 per cent can only find casual work and wanting more hours.
- 6,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Adelaide. Only 37 per cent of retrenched Lonsdale workers found jobs in manufacturing; many went into health and community services.
- Half the funds earmarked to help find employment for retrenched Lonsdale workers went to industries in the north of Adelaide. Many workers were reluctant to move to the northern suburbs. Some preferred unemployment to moving away from the southern suburbs where they had lived most of their lives. Those who did find work in the north had travel expenses of about $100 per week.
- Each ex-Lonsdale worker was allocated $10,000 for retraining. Some benefited from this allocation while others remain very bitter. Some workers were told they needed self-esteem training as they were deemed to be likely long-term unemployed, so lost $2,000 out of their retraining account.
- In a study of a similar plant closure of the old MG-Rover plant in Longreach, near Birmingham UK:
· UK Government purchased the land;
· Subsidised the move of workers to areas with more employment opportunities, or subsidised their commuting expenses;
· Offered new skills training for all workers from the plant;
· Targeted specific industries to move to the old plant site.
- The developing of part of the Mitsubishi site as a public transport hub would be a productive form of infrastructure. If the land is deemed “too valuable” then a multi-storey car park might be appropriate.
Posted in Local Issues, The Big Picture, State Issues |
