Despite the region being on the cusp of a $43 billion renewable energy investment boom – the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government continues to sit on its hands with undelivered promises, Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully will tell a union conference in Wollongong this afternoon.

“We have a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) that I negotiated with the Minister and included the Illawarra, after it was originally excluded by the Government.

“We have $43 billion worth of investment interest, a deep-water port, a steel works,  transport networks, and a highly skilled workforce – yet the Minister for Energy, Matt Kean, despite his promises when he wanted the laws passed, now sits on his hands and has done so for the past 650 days.

“We are sick and tired of waiting for the NSW Government and Matt Kean to deliver on what they promised 650 days ago.

“In contrast we have a Federal Labor Government that has recognised the region’s potential for off-shore wind generation, kicking off its assessment process weeks after its election – yet when it comes to the NSW Government we are forced to wait and wait.

“The Illawarra is geared up and ready to rock and roll to help build the low carbon economy of the future.

“Our businesses, labour movement, researchers and educators, are all lined up.

“The ducks are all in a row. The planets have aligned – what more do we have to do to be taken seriously by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government?”, Mr Scully asked.

It is time that the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government and Matt Kean got serious and delivered on the promises made to deliver new local content requirements and funding for Illawarra hydrogen projects promised last March.