Multimillion carbon reduction innovation project brings new life to Port Augusta

A new project is cementing a more sustainable future for the Upper Spencer Gulf

Craig Cresp, Hallett Group general manager of operations (Upper Spencer Gulf). Picture: Dean Martin

The death of its three power stations is breathing new life into Port Augusta, as the most significant carbon reduction innovation project in the history of Australia’s cement industry rises from the ashes.

Hallett Group’s $125 million green cement project uses ash deposited by the demolished power stations as supplementary cementitious material – or SCM – to create low-carbon green cement for use in construction across the country. The 276ha ash storage area holds 20 million tons of ash that will give the project a lifespan of at least 40 years, with the potential to reduce Australian CO2 emissions of 300,000 tonnes per annum immediately, growing to approximately 1 million tonnes per annum – approximately 1 per cent of the entire Australian 2030 CO2 reduction target – in the future.

Hallett Group general manager of operations (Upper Spencer Gulf) Craig Cresp expects demand for green cement to grow as the new investment takes hold in the region. “When you look at what the Upper Spencer Gulf is going through with the expansion of circa $18 billion worth of investment, the new businesses are all going to need cementitious materials – and we can supply it here,” he says.

Port Augusta’s location at the crossroads of Australia will also help to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions caused by freight transport. “Even if a business needs a straight GP Portland cement mix, we will transport bulk product from Adelaide so there’s a regional supplier here in the USG,” Cresp says. “We can provide those shorter runs that help to reduce transport CO2 emission.

“The long-term goal is to make use of the old Leigh Creek coal line which supplied the power station; the national freight network for rail and road is here so there is good access to rail and road.”

The project is expected to create dozens of jobs over its lifespan – good news for Cresp, who was born and raised in Port Augusta. “We’ll peak at 100 jobs here in Port Augusta, but in the interim we’re talking about 30 to 40 jobs,” he says.

“We are so excited about the fact that industry is coming back here to Port Augusta. Having greenfield projects in the region creates opportunities for local people to remain here. We can see our project being a catalyst to attract other projects and industry into the region. We can then grow our own workforce with our children – future leaders, future colleagues.”

Hallett Group has been working with local schools as well as the Department for Education to support educational programs that will be provided through the Port Augusta Technical College, creating pathways to employment for home-grown future apprentices and workers.

Cresp’s hopes for future opportunities for today’s children are personal – he and his wife have raised two daughters in their home town.

“My wife and I were both born here,” he says. “We had a stint overseas but we came back home to raise our family here. We have two girls and we would love to have them here doing their tertiary studies in some way, shape or form. There’s enough here that we can hopefully keep them here.

“It’s great that the Upper Spencer Gulf is finally getting some focus because we all feel we’ve been left off the radar a little bit. But the fact is now that, as industry is shifting to renewables, clearly they will need to focus on where they’re going to get that energy from.

“We’ve got the water access for hydrogen, we’ve got access to the sun and wind. It shouldn’t just be a focus on trying to draw industry here – let’s commit to it and actually have the industry here.”

Energising employment opportunities

Career Co managing director and owner Emma Davies with administration officer Ava Amaro. Picture: Dean Martin

Investment in skills and training in the Upper Spencer Gulf is opening doors to employment in current and emerging industries for local workers.

Recruitment expert Emma Davies, founder and owner of Career Co. Australia Pty Ltd in Port Augusta, has partnered with state and federal governments to create solutions that address the needs of industries within the region and connect the local workforce to employment opportunities.

In the past two years, Career Co has delivered bespoke workforce initiatives co-designed with industry, government and the community to upskill 640 candidates in the local area – and the opportunities continue to grow. “We do have a really strong industry,” Davies says. “The Upper Spencer Gulf has an abundance of natural resources. That means the opportunities and jobs growth for industry and major projects is real. It’s exciting.”

Career Co’s employment initiatives – supported by Workforce Australia Local Jobs, an Australian Government initiative – include Jobs 4 Locals to address vocational skill gaps and non-vocational barriers to employment; and Fit for Work to prepare candidates to meet industry prescribed levels of fitness. “We’re working with community, government and industry because we know there are new and emerging jobs coming that people may not have the skillsets for,” Davies says. “We’re looking at what type of place-based initiatives and solutions we need to co-design with the community and government to upskill our local talent to connect to those jobs.

“The sectors we focus on are resources and infrastructure, particularly with renewable energy, as well as the civil construction and care and support. It’s really important that, while we have such strong investment coming into the region, we must also have long-term investment in skills development so we continue to build local talent to produce a skilled and industry-aligned workforce to boost economic prosperity.”

Job vacancies both now and arising in the future range from entry level trade roles through to high-level expertise. Davies predicts the volume of vacancies will not only benefit those looking for work locally but also the region more generally, with an influx of workers attracted to the opportunities on offer.

“It’s a great challenge to have, because only so many people in the community can take up those roles up, but that’s great for people wanting to come into the region to see how wonderful life is here,” she says.

“I see people I have gone to school with who went away and lived interstate, but when it came to having their children they have come back home.”

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