Proud of our past, ready for our future.
Why here? Why now?
Our region, the Illawarra, Dharawal Country, is often referred to as the Coal Coast — for a very good reason. Coal extraction, coal export, and the coal-heavy industry of steelmaking have been our key employers. This is generations of nation-building jobs. This is family life; this is community — built up around coal and steel.
Port Kembla is the second largest coal export hub in New South Wales. In 2016 our region was home to 2000 coal mining jobs. The BlueScope Steel plant at Port Kembla employs more than 3200 workers in its raw steel manufacturing business. Then there are the countless careers created in connection with these industries. Hi Neighbour celebrates the history and camaraderie of these demanding jobs, which require skill and stamina, and we respect the pride that comes from a job well done.
We now face an environmental challenge that demands massive reduction in the emissions closely tied to these industries. With renewables we have the technological solutions at hand and we are investing in making that change.
The Illawarra/Dharawal region is a Renewable Energy Zone. Which means loads of investment, loads of jobs and loads of opportunity. If community is properly included this could be an incredible revitalisation for our region.
There also are numerous private renewables proposals eyeing large-scale local renewable energy generation projects. These changes come with risk: historically large-scale technology transformations can leave workers, communities and ecosystems behind unless designed and implemented wisely. And this is where we come in!
"It is a social imperative that we deal with that collectively and make sure that workers who have spent their lives in coal mines can move across."
Penny Howard national research officer for the Maritime Union of Australia
Hi Neighbour understands that the renewables revolution is headed for the Coal Coast and knows if we don’t act now it will happen to us, not with us. We need to make sure new low carbon jobs stay local and local community enjoy the benefits of a renewables transformation. To honour the heart of this place and to protect our future, we need to build ourselves into the industries that will come to redefine this region.
Hi Neighbour’s two-fold approach of emission reduction and training for future industry is our way of bringing everyone together in this mission. If you live next door to someone whose first priority is energy transition, while yours is stable jobs for your kids in industries that supported you and your parents, you might feel we are hopelessly divided. We promise: we’re not. Hi Neighbour knows both perspectives come from a desire to protect your families’ futures, and all concerns are legitimate. You and your neighbours deserve a game plan for a future that includes everyone on the street. You deserve the ingenuity and solutions-based thinking Australians are famous for, having given the world wifi, the cochlear ear and the electric drill. Hi Neighbour is a path to a safe environment and the safe jobs that go along with it.
It is essential to proactively plan for an energy future that supports a fair energy transition and positive community outcomes. At Hi Neighbour we know our region can become a shining example of what is possible.