Workforce at Musselroe Wind Farm

Hydro Tasmania has rejected suggestions that Tasmanians are not reaping the benefits of jobs created through construction of the Musselroe Wind Farm in the north-east of the state.

The $400 million Musselroe project will have 56 wind turbines, with a generating capacity of 168 megawatts. This would power 50 000 homes, equal to the residential power needs of Burnie and Devonport combined.

Musselroe is delivering significant value to the north-east of Tasmania and the whole of the state in terms of investment and direct employment, as well as other flow-on benefits generated through spending with local businesses.

Hydro Tasmania CEO Roy Adair said the construction phase of the project has been structured to deliver the greatest possible benefit to the Tasmanian community.

“Where possible, Hydro Tasmania has maximised the use of Tasmanian suppliers, including selecting Launceston-based business Haywards Steel Fabrication and Construction as the preferred provider of towers,” Mr Adair said.

“Tasmanian company Hazell Bros is the main civil contractor and has followed Hydro Tasmania’s lead in employing local people to work on the project wherever possible, something we encourage all our contractors to do.

“In some cases contractors on the project will need to hire specialist skills that are not available in Tasmania. However, over the life of the project, Tasmanian labour is anticipated to outnumber interstate labour 5 to 1,” he said.

More than 200 workers will be employed over the life of the project. The total workforce varies over time, but currently sits at more than 150 with approximately 110 employed on the wind farm and 40 people working on construction of the transmission line.

Hydro Tasmania will provide information about recruitment opportunities to relevant unions to help them ensure their members were aware of job openings.

For more information contact Samantha Meyer 03 6230 5746.