Politicians and business leaders hail ’the most exciting time in Whyalla history’ as major infrastructure projects revealed

A sweeping plan to revitalise Whyalla — headlined by plans for a massive new steel plant to sit alongside the upgraded existing steelworks — has been announced. Here’s how business and political leaders are reacting.

• WHYALLA’S REBIRTH: Get full details of the plan here
• Analysis – We nearly missed out

A sweeping plan to revitalise Whyalla — headlined by plans for a massive new steel plant to sit alongside the upgraded existing steelworks — has been revealed by British industrialist Sanjeev Gupta.

At a Monday morning announcement featuring Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Steven Marshall, it was announced that:

THE current steelworks will receive a $600 million upgrade, creating a maximum capacity of 1.8 million tonnes and securing 2500 jobs.

FEASIBILITY studies will commence on a massive new steelworks, to sit alongside the existing plant, with a maximum capacity of 10 million tonnes.

A NEW $45 million four-star hotel will be built in Whyalla.

A CHINESE company will back a new $145 million horticulture business.

A $6 MILLION organics recycling business will be established in the town.

SEE THE FULL DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL HERE

GFG Alliance’s Sanjeev Gupta on the outskirts of Whyalla. Picture: David Mariuz/AAP

Mr Gupta said when he first came to Whyalla — which was dealing with the failure of mining and steel business Arrium, which his company GFG Alliance then purchased — it was a “diamond in the rough’’ with all of the necessary factors for a successful industry.

These factors included energy and natural resources, a “unique” port, and a workforce which was willing to fight for its future.

“This was the poor cousin, a broken steel town,” Mr Gupta said. “But those of you who know me that’s like red rag to a bull.”

The so-called “Big Reveal” attracted state and federal politicians including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Premier Steven Marshall, and State Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas.

Other guests included Mengxing Zhang, the president of China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) which is a Beijing-based company which has various business interests and owns China Minmetals, which in turn owns a number of mines in Australia.

Mr Morrison said Whyalla was “a city with a great future”.

He said Mr Gupta had “defied the critics and backed himself with his cash and his credibility’’.

“This is the turnaround state and this is the comeback city in Australia when we’re talking about Whyalla,” Mr Morrison said.

A town with a healthy future ... Snap Fitness at Whyalla staff Phillip Knibbs, Joanne Marshall and Emma Skeldon on the town’s main street in 2017. Picture: Greg Higgs

Mr Shorten paid tribute to the resilience of Whyalla’s steelworkers.

“Sometimes it takes someone from outside to remind us how lucky we are and what we need to do to invest ourselves in the future,” Mr Shorten said.

Mr Marshall said there was “great and growing confidence that our best days in manufacturing are ahead of us’’.

The Premier paid tribute to Mr Gupta for his ambition and drive in transforming Whyalla and his industrial ambitions globally.

“Whyalla will once against be a powerhouse of industrial activity,” Mr Marshall said.

Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the city would be transformed over the next decade.

“This is the most exciting and important time in Whyalla’s history and we are entering into an unprecedented era,” Ms McLaughlin said.

“It will need all of us in Whyalla to step up and fire up the spirit of our community ... we will have more exciting news in the near future.”

The State Government has already previously committed to building a new $100 million high school for Whyalla, which Mr Marshall said would be open in 2022.