The AMWU has welcomed the announcement of a new Transport Strategy for NSW, saying that investment in public transport is “a win at every level.”

“It’s good for people, the environment and for the economy,” Acting NSW Secretary, Tim Ayres said.

“It’s also a great opportunity to provide new, highly skilled jobs for people in NSW – particularly in regional areas such as the Hunter Valley, where we already have a very  skilled workforce and rolling stock infrastructure.”

The AMWU is now campaigning to ensure that skilled job opportunities are a top priority.

“This is chance for the Premier to show that she meant business when she said that the State Government’s new Procurement Policy is also a ‘Jobs First Plan’,” said Mr Ayres.

Mr Ayres believes prolonged investment in transport infrastructure could bring massive benefits to the Hunter Valley.

“Frankly the scale and potential of this contract for the Hunter economy is enormous,” he said.

“An investment of this magnitude will be critical to secure the infrastructure and skills we need to create jobs and apprenticeship and engineering opportunities for the state as a whole and for the Hunter Valley in particular.”

But Mr Ayres said the key was to ensure local content was maximised and the opportunity to invest in jobs and training for a new generation of workers in Australia was not wasted.

““Our rail workshops build the best trains in the world. We can’t afford to import this work from low cost, low quality overseas competitors,” he said.

“Value for money is about the broader economic benefit – not just the lowest price.

Based on previous rail contracts, the AMWU estimates there is the potential for more than 3000 local jobs to be created, in addition to a direct injection of around $300m into the local Hunter economy from export and industry growth.