Appointment of the Chief of Joint Capabilities

Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz AM CSC DSM has been appointed as the new Chief of Joint Capabilities, replacing the incoming Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM CSC DSM. 

Air Vice-Marshal Braz brings extensive experience across almost 40 years of service in the Australian Defence Force. 

Since joining the Royal Australian Air Force in 1987, Air Vice-Marshal Braz has held multiple distinguished senior appointments across Defence and the Australian Signals Directorate, including the Commander of the Australian Air Task Group of the Middle East Region, Director-General of Military Strategic Commitments, Deputy Chief of Air Force and most recently Air Commander Australia. 

As the Chief of Joint Capabilities, Air Vice-Marshal Braz will lead Defence’s Joint Capabilities Group, which is responsible for delivering integrated support across cyber operations, cyber security, logistics, space, and national support to enable Defence to operate effectively across all warfighting domains.

He will continue the development of the Joint Capabilities Group to meet the capability priorities set out in the 2026 National Defence Strategy, including the uplift in Defence’s logistics infrastructure and an increased investment in space and cyber capabilities.  

Air Vice-Marshal Braz will be promoted to Air Marshal and start in his new role in July 2026 for a four-year tenure. 

The Government thanks Lieutenant General Coyle for her outstanding accomplishments as the Chief of Joint Capabilities and looks forward to continuing to work with her as the Chief of Army. 

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Congratulations to Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz on his appointment as the Chief of Joint Capabilities.

“Air Vice-Marshal Braz brings the experience, insight and leadership needed to deliver space and cyber power, national support, logistics and joint training – ensuring the ADF is prepared to safeguard Australia’s sovereignty, security and prosperity for decades to come. 

“I look forward to working with Air Vice-Marshal Braz as we continue the Australian Government’s work to embed space and cyber as the fourth and fifth warfighting domains.” 

Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston AC RAN: 

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Air Vice-Marshal Braz and his family on his promotion and appointment as the new Chief of Joint Capabilities.

“Air Vice-Marshal Braz brings extensive experience from his roles across Defence and the Australian Signals Directorate. 

“His strong track record refining and developing military capability and empowering his people will enable Joint Capabilities Group to meet the capability priorities as set out in the National Defence Strategy 2026.”

Travel to the Middle East

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles is travelling to the Middle East, where he will meet with leaders in the United Arab Emirates and our Australian Defence Force personnel serving in the Gulf region.

Australia remains committed to supporting the collective self-defence of regional countries, including the UAE, in line with our long history of contributing to peace and security in the Middle East.

Australia wants to see the conflict end, the Strait of Hormuz open and freedom of navigation restored.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“We continue to work closely with our friends and partners to contribute to the defence of Gulf States, through our deployment of the E7-A Wedgetail aircraft and delivery of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles.

“Peace and security in the Middle East matters to Australia, which is why we are working with our allies to support efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Preparing Australian industry to support the Virginia class submarine combat system

AUKUS in Australia is taking another significant step forward with the Albanese Government selecting Lockheed Martin Australia as the preferred Combat System Integration Partner for Australia’s future fleet of sovereign Virginia class submarines. 

This partnership will provide extensive opportunities for Australian industry and workers and build the breadth of technical skill and knowledge in Australia.

It is expected that an additional 100 jobs will be created at Lockheed Martin Australia in support of the Combat System Integration Partner program, with initial work to be undertaken in WA.

As the 2026 National Defence Strategy affirms, Australia’s future fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines will be critical to achieving Defence’s strategic objectives, growing our deterrence capability and contributing to security and stability in the region. Australia will acquire its first of three sovereign Virginia class submarines in the early 2030s.

The combat system underpins the potency and lethality of a submarine. The Combat System Integration Partner is pivotal to the effectiveness of Australia’s future Virginia class submarines – including through the implementation and testing of combat systems improvements, and supporting crews in conducting maintenance and repair on the combat system.

This will complement the long- standing submarine combat system Armament Cooperative Programs between the Australian and US Governments to integrate and sustain the combat capability of the submarines.

This will ensure our future combat systems incorporate the latest in technology and maintain advantage in the undersea domain.

The Australian Government will now work closely with Lockheed Martin Australia on developing an initial services contract, with an estimated two-year contract term.

The acquisition of Australia’s nuclear conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is the single biggest capability acquisition in our nation’s history and will create around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years.

Australia’s Virginia class conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines will be sovereign Australian submarines under the command of the Royal Australian Navy at the direction of the Australian Government. 

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“AUKUS is on track and happening now.

“The selection of the preferred Combat System Integration Partner is another significant milestone for Australia’s future fleet of Virginia class submarines. 

“By making these decisions now, we are ensuring our local industry and naval workforce is equipped with the skills it needs to operate and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines which will protect our nation and keep Australians safe.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“AUKUS will be the greatest industrial endeavour ever undertaken in Australia, generating around 20,000 jobs as part of a future made in Australia.

“It will provide opportunities for Aussie workers to develop important technical skills and knowledge, strengthening our sovereign defence industry.”

Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility strengthens sovereign Defence capability

In a major milestone for Australia’s sovereign defence sustainment capability, the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have officially opened the $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Edinburgh, South Australia. 

The first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility will become a regional hub for the maintenance and sustainment of aircraft for the Australian Defence Force and that of our partners. 

Delivered on time and on budget – a result of the strong partnership between the Federal and State governments – this facility will enable the long-term deep maintenance of the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to occur in Australia, and in doing so will support highly skilled local engineering, avionics and logistics jobs. 

The 240 metre-long building has been designed to accommodate and support not just the P-8A Poseidon, but a range of other RAAF platforms and includes:                      

  • a four‑bay hangar capacity suitable for Boeing 737‑derivative aircraft;
  • aircraft docking systems to provide full aircraft access for deep maintenance and modification;
  • workshops to support structural, mechanical, avionics and mission‑system maintenance and modifications;
  • secure systems and infrastructure to support sustainment and upgrade activities for sensitive equipment; and
  • logistics and support workspaces to enable long‑duration maintenance events.

In a significant step for our ANZAC interoperability, the Royal New Zealand Air Force will also maintain and repair its fleet of P-8A aircraft at the South Australian facility from 2028 – further reinforcing our shared commitment to regional security and collective maritime capability.

Construction of the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility over the last two years created around 450 jobs and more than half of the structural steel used was from South Australia’s Whyalla Steelworks. 

The P-8A Poseidon is the cornerstone of Australia’s anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and search and rescue capability.

In March 2025, Defence signed a $291 million support contract with Boeing Defence Australia to deliver upgrades to the P-8A Poseidon fleet, including an improved combat system, enhanced anti‑submarine warfare capability, and upgraded satellite communications to improve integration across the Australian Defence Force. 

The first two P-8A Poseidon aircraft are currently being modified by the United States Navy, ensuring continued commonality and interoperability with our alliance partner. The remaining aircraft will be modified by Boeing Defence Australia at the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility, embedding this critical workforce in Australia. 

The new facility is also set to become the workplace for students from the Malinauskas Labor Government’s new technical college – The Heights Technical College – where Boeing has signed on as an employer partner. 

More than 20 students are now studying aero skills to become aircraft maintenance technicians and engineers – the first course of its kind in the state. Students from the college attended today’s opening. 

By enabling long-term, deep maintenance and modification of P-8A Poseidon aircraft in Australia, the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are ensuring Defence capability, Australian industry, and the skilled workforce in South Australia grow together delivering enduring benefits for Australia’s national security, defence industrial base and international partnerships.

South Australia’s growing defence industry generated a record $2.015 billion in economic activity last financial year, more than double the $977 million produced in 2019-20.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“This facility is a critical investment in Australia’s ability to maintain and sustain key capabilities for our Defence Force here at home.

“By embedding deep maintenance and upgrade work for the P-8A Poseidon fleet in Australia, we are strengthening sovereign capability, improving force readiness, and reducing reliance on overseas sustainment, exactly as set out in the National Defence Strategy.

“Just as importantly, this facility will support a skilled defence workforce and a resilient defence industrial base in South Australia, ensuring our Defence capability and Australian industry can continue to grow together. 

Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas: 

“The opening of this huge new defence aircraft maintenance facility in South Australia is a major milestone for Australia’s defence sustainment capability.

“It is going to create important long-term careers right here in South Australia in the highly-technical field of aero skills.

“Students at The Heights Technical College will graduate not only with their high school certificate and an in-demand trade qualification – they will be able to walk straight into a highly-skilled career in aero skills at this new facility.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“This facility, built with steel from Whyalla, will sustain hundreds of long-term, secure defence jobs for South Australians. 

“This is about more than infrastructure. It’s a testament to the cooperation between the Albanese Government and Malinauskas state government, whether that be in saving the Whyalla steelworks or our commitment to a future made in Australia.

“The DMMF will sustain high value defence industry jobs in South Australia, grow a highly skilled workforce, and ensure Australian businesses play a central role in delivering advanced Defence capabilities.”

South Australia Minister for Defence & Space Industries Chris Picton:

“The opening of this $200 million facility is an important milestone for defence jobs in our state. 

“Previously these planes were sent offshore for maintenance and upgrades, now South Australians will be performing this work. 

“This partnership between the Albanese and Malinauskas Labor Governments will create ongoing, highly-skilled, secure and well paid jobs in our state for decades to come.”

Explosive Government analysis on new AUKUS nuclear submarine base

New documents show the dangers of an AUKUS nuclear submarine base on Australia’s east coast. With Port Kembla being put as the frontrunner for the East Coast US submarine base, and Newcastle in the mix, these documents confirm that Labor is placing a military target on the largest population centre in the country. 

Documents released today, following pressure from NSW State MLC Abigail Boyd, cover discussions and advice from the NSW State Government in 2022 and 2023 on the use of ports in Newcastle and Port Kembla for an AUKUS submarine base. 

These documents reveal that Port Kembla is the preferred site based on a cost-benefit analysis, but the option of Newcastle remains open. There was an acknowledgement that the East Coast base would not be accepted by the community, “because residents are likely to perceive the [base] as a source of risk due to there being nuclear reactors on board the submarines and the military base being a potential military target.”

The documents also noted the negative impact the base will have on the community, saying: “The relocation of NSW residents represents a net cost, which may be borne by the resident or by NSW Government through financial compensation. Displaced NSW residents may also result in frictional unemployment, which will involve lost wages and may also involve additional re-training costs.”

The State and Federal Governments were also determined to keep the decision secret, which was seen as more important than open and transparent consultation with the local community. 

Bases for US nuclear submarines have been announced near Perth and Adelaide at HMAS Stirling and Osborne, respectively. However, the Federal Government has been silent on the East Coast base. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson on Defence, said: “The documents show that both the State and Federal Governments know full well that this US nuclear submarine base will be damaging and dangerous for the community.”

“It’s no surprise that people don’t want to live next to a bunch of floating nuclear reactors with a big military target on them. It’s also no surprise that the State and Federal governments are desperate to hide this truth from the public.

“We have seen in Perth and Adelaide how Governments have run roughshod over the local community and forced AUKUS submarine facilities on them. 

“Labor knows that putting a giant US nuclear submarine base in someone’s backyard is not popular, but instead of reversing that dangerous policy, they push on in secret. We now see this taking place in NSW.”\

“These documents say as clear as day that any East Coast nuclear submarine base will be a priority military target. 

“We are watching the US actively driving war and instability around the world and instead of distancing Australia from that conflict, we have Labor, One Nation and the Coalition inviting that into our homes.

“Trump will happily start a war, then not lift a finger when US bases in allied states get targeted. The Greens don’t want that for Australia, and that’s what sets us apart from Labor, One Nation and the Liberals.”

NSW State MLC Abigail Boyd, and Greens NSW Spokesperson for Treasury and Industry, said: “People have a right to know if their town is about to go nuclear. It should not have required a parliamentary order, followed by a lengthy battle involving a Senior Counsel, to finally get these documents released.

“These documents spell out exactly what the impact of AUKUS will mean – a collapse in house prices, businesses closing, and an enormous cost to the community, all while multinational weapons companies print money.

“The Labor Government know exactly how radioactive this decision is. So now they’ve finished crunching the numbers, they’ve decided to play dumb. This feigned ignorance of the preferred location represents a total breakdown in proper democratic function, denying communities the right for input and consultation. It denies these communities the opportunity to realise their own hopes and aspirations for their communities.

“The NSW Labor Government, like the Coalition Government before them, have been caught out treating people’s lives and livelihoods as entries in a spreadsheet. They have calculated exactly the misery and distress a nuclear base in Port Kembla or Newcastle would cause.”

30% death tax ‘Easter Egg’ found in bad faith Budget

“The Albanese government has hidden a 30% death tax ‘Easter egg’ in their bad faith Budget and was hoping they could sneak their assault on family savings past Australians”, said Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson.

Mr Wilson’s comments follow reports in The Australian that found a 30% death tax hidden in the Budget papers targeted at popular family trusts. An ‘Easter Egg’ in popular culture is a secret that was deliberately hidden and requires effort to find.

“Young Australians who invest in ETFs, crypto and shares have realised this Budget is targeted at kneecapping their savings, and applies a tax on invested first home deposits, and now their targeting any inheritance too”, Mr Wilson.

“Yesterday in Question Time the Prime Minister was explicitly asked about ruling out a death tax in the future, and he wouldn’t. We now know he couldn’t rule out a death tax tomorrow because he announced one on Tuesday buried in his Budget papers”.

“In red hot rage, Anthony Albanese openly lied 50 times over to the Australian people about not introducing new taxes on homes, rentals, investments and family savings and now he’s been caught out trying to sneak through a death tax too”.

“This bad faith Budget is unravelling because Australian’s have awoken that the Budget narrative of intergenerational fairness is code for kneecapping Australian families”.

Novocastrian knowledge needed to localise State housing reforms

City of Newcastle will use community feedback to help plan for more housing near train stations at Hamilton, Adamstown, Kotara and the Newcastle Interchange.

The four areas have been selected by the NSW Government to be part of the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Program, which is designed to enable greater residential density near key transport hubs.

Executive Director Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson said City of Newcastle wants to hear what residents love about their suburb and what changes could help accommodate the growth in housing.

“We support the intent of the NSW Government reforms to provide more housing and increased density close to transport,” Ms Bisson said.

“However, a one-size-fits-all approach does not consider factors such as heritage or environmental constraints, so we’re designing a place-based approach to each precinct.

“We want the community to tell us what they love about their local area and what they believe should be prioritised in the future to accommodate more housing.

“That could include improved open public spaces, walking and cycling connections, transport and traffic upgrades, more lighting or the diversity of housing choices.”

Under the National Housing Accord, the NSW Government has committed to delivering 377,000 new homes across the state between 2024 and 2029, with a target of 11,100 new homes for the Newcastle Local Government Area during that period.

To help facilitate these targets, the NSW Government has introduced a range of planning reforms including the TOD program, which permit mid and high-rise development, including apartments and shop-top housing, by changing development standards such as building heights and floor space ratios.

Councils can create their own planning controls for TOD precincts, taking into consideration the distinct characteristics and needs of each location, as long as the planning controls still allow for the Government’s dwelling targets.

Using input from residents, City of Newcastle will produce an urban design framework for each of the four transport hubs, establishing the overall vision, objectives and actions that will provide guidance to property developers.

“The urban design frameworks will outline for property developers and owners what the area should look and feel like, and how things such as land use, streets, public spaces and buildings should work together, taking into consideration hazards such as flooding, bushfire, contamination and high-pressure gas pipelines,” Ms Bisson said.

“The framework will respect the unique local character of each precinct, while still delivering the outcomes that meet the needs of current and future people who live, work and enjoy these areas.”

The development of the urban design frameworks is being delivered with support from a NSW Government grant through the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund.

Community members can find out more or make a submission via the Have Your Say page until 5pm on Friday 12 June 2026.

Transformation of iconic harbourfront precinct takes next step

Work has begun beneath Queens Wharf as preparations get underway for the safe demolition of the fire-damaged western building.

Building inspections will get underway today before the work moves under the wharf later next week, pending favourable swell and wind conditions. Workers will use a small boat to carry out investigations underneath the structure before a floating pontoon is installed to enable the isolation and relocation of utilities connected to the site.

City of Newcastle’s Acting Director of Corporate Services Kathleen Hyland said the upcoming demolition of the western building is a critical first step in unlocking the future potential of the precinct.

“The transformation of Queens Wharf is a significant undertaking for City of Newcastle, which will deliver a new future for one of our city’s most iconic waterfront precincts,” Ms Hyland said.

“Some people would be unaware that this site and the majority of the adjacent road is built on piers above the harbour.

“The complex nature of the sub-structure means there is some preparatory work that needs to be completed as part of the safe and carefully managed demolition of the vacant western building.

“While not all progress will be immediately visible, this work is an essential step in transforming Queens Wharf and enabling the long-term revitalisation of the site.”

This services relocation work will take around two months to complete and will occur both under the wharf and inside the building.

Site establishment for the demolition of the building will begin after the services work is completed.

Access to the ferry and public promenade will be maintained during this period. Once demolition is complete, a range of short-term activations will be implemented to encourage the community and tourists to continue to enjoy the harbourfront site.

Queens Wharf has been a popular destination since it was constructed as a Bicentennial project and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988. 

It includes two separate buildings – the western building which has been vacant since a fire in May 2020, and the Queens Wharf Hotel, along with two car parks, a public promenade and the Transport for NSW owned ferry wharf. 

Revitalisation of the precinct received strong community support, with almost 1,800 comments and suggestions received by City of Newcastle during a recent community engagement process, with 97% endorsing the overall vision for the project. 

To stay up-to-date with the latest information about Queens Wharf visit the project page on City of Newcastle’s website.

Critical trackwork on the Blue Mountains line

Transport for NSW has halved the length of scheduled trackwork of the Blue Mountains rail line, to reduce further impact on communities already affected by the ongoing closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.

Scheduled prior to the unforeseen closure of the Great Western Highway in March, the trackwork was planned to last two weeks. The trackwork has now been reduced to one week by delaying all non-time critical work.

Intercity passenger rail services will not operate between Mt Victoria and Lithgow from 2am on Monday 25 May to 2am on Monday 1 June and on the weekend of Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May, the closure will extend between Lithgow and Blacktown.

The safety critical works include overhead wire renewal on vulnerable parts of the network which use an older fixed tension system and are vulnerable to the extreme temperature changes during the Blue Mountains winter. Critical works also include rail grinding, rail welding, and track defect removal.

Replacement buses will operate with an additional 25 trips during the week and two Bathurst peak‑hour services will continue to operate from Lithgow Station in the morning, departing at 6:50am and 8:48am. In the afternoon, two peak‑hour services will run from Bathurst to Lithgow, arriving at 5:46pm and 8:12pm.

In response to the 2025 Independent Rail Review the Minns Labor Government has invested $423.4 million over the next four years towards an asset renewal program targeted at upgrading rail tracks, signalling, and overhead wiring across the network as well as drainage in flood-prone areas.

As the rail reliability investment rolls out, the Minns Labor Government is also accelerating the re-opening of Mitchells Causeway on the Great Western Highway, with two consortia led by Seymour Whyte and Gamuda shortlisted to deliver the safest and fastest solution.

The NSW Government acknowledges the significant impact for communities across the Blue Mountains and Central West and has committed $50 million towards improving the safety and resilience of key detour routes through the Blue Mountains and Central West. More than $15 million worth of work has already been completed.

Public transport uplifts introduced earlier this year will remain in place during the closure including NSW TrainLink’s free turn-up-and-go coach services currently used by more than 300 passengers each week.

Passenger are encouraged to allow extra travel time and plan ahead by visiting transportnsw.info/trip-planner or downloading the Opal Travel App.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“We know the Victoria Pass closure is causing a lot of pain for communities either side of mountains. We’re sorry this trackwork will add to that disruption, which is why we’ve cut it as short as we can by delaying any non-time critical work.

“As we learnt with the big Homebush rail shut down last May, overhead wire faults can lead to enormous disruption. We can not let that happen at a time where the train line is a critical alternative to the Great Western Highway.

“Rail reliability is a key focus for our government, which is why we’re investing $424.4 million into network maintenance and improvements, and that includes the Blue Mountains line which is more important than ever during the Mitchell Causeway closure.”

Minister Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“Maintenance on our rail lines is critical, and our Government continues to get on with the job of important, and targeted rail maintenance programs to ensure people can get to work, to appointments and to school.

“We acknowledge the ongoing impacts for Blue Mountains and Central West communities as a result of the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.

“As we work towards a fix for the Highway, this rail maintenance program will ensure the Blue Mountains line can continue to be a reliable transport option for communities.”

Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle:

“Thank you so much to everyone in my community for their patience during this extraordinarily disruptive time.

“The train service is a crucial part of daily life in the Blue Mountains, especially as we live through the road closure, but we can’t afford to let it deteriorate and add further long-term pain to our transport situation.

“I want to thank my colleagues for finding a way to halve the shutdown time and thank the community for their understanding.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“Sydney Trains is carrying out planned critical upgrades and essential maintenance work to improve service reliability.

“During this time, passengers impacted by the closure of the rail line and the Great Westen Highway can use free turn-up-and-go coach services daily between Bathurst and Katoomba, stopping at Mt Victoria and Lithgow Stations.

“Trackwork is planned 12 months in advance so as much can be carried out at once to minimise the number of shutdowns in each area of the network.

“Sydney Trains apologises for the inconvenience and thanks passengers for their patience as we carry out this essential work.”

Construction begins on NSW’s first end-to-end green hydrogen hub

Construction has started on NSW’s first end-to-end hydrogen and ammonia production plant, The Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project, near Moree.

GEGHA’s plant will boost NSW’s ability to produce essential fuel and fertiliser locally and help make farming supply chains more reliable in the face of global disruptions. It will also cut emissions from local fertiliser production, transport and heavy machinery.

The project is scalable and repeatable, representing a model that can be rolled out across regional NSW to increase domestic manufacturing and develop energy security through sovereign supply chains for key industries.

Overall, 93 local jobs will be created during the construction and ongoing operation of the project.

The plant will produce up to 4,500 tonnes of low-carbon ammonia per year, replacing imported, fossil fuel-based fertilisers and removing up to 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from farming, which equates to taking 6,500 passenger cars off the road.

The ammonia will be used to produce green fertiliser for Sundown Pastoral Company’s Keytah Farm – a 65,000-acre sustainable cotton and cropping operation, one of the largest in the Gwydir Region – as well as other agricultural properties in New England.

The plant will also produce more than 200 tonnes of green hydrogen per year to reduce diesel use in irrigation pumping on-farm and in heavy-vehicle refuelling.

The Minns Labor Government is investing a total of $45.2 million in the project through the NSW Hydrogen Hubs Initiative and the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative. Through this funding, the Minns Labor Government is delivering local jobs, boosting local manufacturing and reducing reliance on fuels such as diesel.

GEGHA is jointly led by New Zealand’s Hiringa Energy and the Moree-based Sundown Pastoral Company and is expected to be operational in 2027.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe said:

“The start of construction on GEGHA marks a major milestone for hydrogen capacity building in NSW, showing how clean energy investment can deliver real benefits for regional communities, industry and farmers.

“The current fuel shock shows why projects like this are so important – they help make farming supply chains more reliable by reducing our need for imported fertilisers.”

Hiringa Energy Co-founder and CEO, Andrew Clennett said:

“We are delighted to be able to begin construction of the unique hydrogen and ammonia elements of this project, which has so much potential for the regional NSW farming community.

“In particular, GEGHA is testament to the power of the relationships we have across project partners, especially Sundown, the NSW Government and NAB. I’m very proud of Hiringa’s record of delivering leading green hydrogen and renewable projects, but that doesn’t happen without strong collaboration across many parties.”

Sundown Pastoral Company Owner, David Statham said:

“Recent fuel and fertiliser supply pressures have highlighted how exposed regional industries remain to volatile international markets, reinforcing the need for greater local energy resilience.

“Australia is very vulnerable when it comes to imported fuel and fertiliser. Farmers live and breathe those pressures every day. We need to find another solution to insulate regional economies that are dependent on agriculture, and this shows it’s possible.”