Earthworker: jobs and environment

Earthworker is a Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) sponsored caucus 
which brings together environmentally conscious unionists, 
environmentalists, industry and government representatives.

On Monday, November 15, Earthworker launched a Solar, Wind and Water 
Industry Plan for Victoria.

The plan can potentially create thousands of new jobs through investment in 
so-called green power, especially wind generated electricity production.

Dave Kerin, Earthworker spokesperson, outlined some aspects of the plan:

* the creation of a potential 2,000 jobs over three years in the LaTrobe 
Valley through the manufacture of the Dutch designed Lagerfeld Wind Turbine 
Generator, with each unit standing over 50 metres high and with a 25-metre 
rotor span. It is expected that up to 10 wind farms would be established. 
Each turbine could produce an average 750 Kilowatts of power per annum;

* the potential for hundreds of jobs in the Melbourne metro region through 
the solar hot water component of the plan, and in particular the 
manufacture of solar hot water systems.

VTHC Secretary Leigh Hubbard welcomed the Plan saying "The Earthworker 
initiative on wind energy and solar hot water illustrates what is possible 
when you see jobs and the environment as fundamentally linked, rather than 
being diametrically opposed as is often the case in debates like forest 
management...

"It gives us hope that we can renew our manufacturing base — the largest 
manufacturing base in Australia — with a major contribution from green 
technologies.

"In Denmark and other European countries where these turbines are common, 
each megawatt of wind power produces between 14 and 19 jobs. Already Asian 
countries are contacting with Renewable Energies Australia Pacific to 
purchase the windmills", said Mr Hubbard.

Earthworker is also discussing with the new Labor Government the question 
of assistance for consumers to instal solar hot water units, with interest-
free loans that can be paid off with energy bills over time.

"If this happens it will mean stimulation of a major new industry and 
better still a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions", said Mr Hubbard.

Funds for the development of the plan will be sought from the 
superannuation industry, government and private sector. The launch of the 
plan is part of "No Jobs on a Dead Planet Tour", a week of activities 
initiated by Earthworker to promote environmentally sustainable practices.