ALCOA’S Portland smelter is set to return to full production capacity.
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The smelter was forced to shut down one of its two aluminium potlines after a power outage in late November 2016.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Premier Daniel Andrews visited the city’s largest employer in January to announce funding to secure the future of the smelter, which was losing $1 million a day during the shut down.
State Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan joined Alcoa workers on Monday to celebrate the smelter’s imminent return to full production capacity.
“The Portland Alcoa smelter is absolutely critical to the region’s economy and we’re committed to keeping workers in jobs and supporting local manufacturing,” Mr Noonan said.
“Portland’s economy remains strong thanks to the smelter and businesses such as Keppel Prince and Porthaul that are expanding and creating more jobs in the region.”
Mr Noonan also visited the Port of Portland, Keppel Prince Engineering and Porthaul. The smelter directly supports 650 employees and contractors.
Mr Noonan said the government funding had provided certainty for smelter employees, supply chain companies and Portland businesses.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney was delighted the smelter was about to return to full production capacity.
“We will always look out for the workers and their families and it’s great to see how our support is delivering certainty for the Portland community,” Ms Tierney said.
The company was given a $30 million lifeline from the federal government and a contribution believed to be at least $200 million from the state government.
The state government committed $500,000 to plan for the future of sustainable employment and industry in the Glenelg region in its 2017/18 budget.