MEDIA RELEASE: Fiona Phillips welcomes more job opportunities as EV bus building contract announced

MEDIA RELEASE: Fiona Phillips welcomes more job opportunities as EV bus building contract announced Main Image

30 January 2025

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has welcomed plans for a new electric bus manufacturing facility at South Nowra that will create around 100 new skilled jobs.

Australian owned bus manufacturer Foton Mobility Distribution plans to build a 6,000 square metre manufacturing facility in South Nowra from late 2025, subject to Shoalhaven City Council approval.

Mrs Phillips said she was thrilled to join New South Wales Minister for Transport Jo Haylen today (Thursday January 30, 2025) to announce the Minns Labor Government awarding of a contract to Foton for the delivery of 126 battery electric buses that will be built in Nowra and service bus routes across Greater Sydney.

The facility will also produce battery electric trucks, as well as hydrogen fuel cell engines, creating around 100 ongoing quality, skilled manufacturing jobs for local workers.

“This is fantastic news for our region,” Mrs Phillips said.

“Making more things in Australia, right here on our NSW South Coast - that’s what we want.

“This project is all about investment in local manufacturing, creating really good local jobs and moving towards transitioning NSW’s public transport bus fleet to zero emissions technology.

“Well done Minister Jo Haylen, Liza Butler MP and the Chris Minns Labor Government."

Mrs Phillips said the announcement aligned with the Albanese Labor Government’s Future Made in Australia Bill, which was passed in November 2024.

“The goal of Future Made in Australia is to make more things in Australia, particularly in regional areas like Gilmore, to create jobs and to ensure the economy becomes more resilient and secure into the future,” she said.

“Right here in the Shoalhaven, we already have internationally recognised businesses like Air Affairs Australia, now known as QinetiQ, and Alkath's Global Defence Solutions manufacturing things locally to support HMAS Albatross.

“The Albatross Aviation Technology Park was designed specifically to support defence and aviation industries, and to create and support local jobs.

“In Gilmore we also have innovative local businesses building boats, making construction materials, producing chemicals, and manufacturing food and pharmaceuticals.

“Now we will be making electric buses here too, which will open more doors for our young people, and local people wanting to retrain and work in the manufacturing industry.”

 

Photos: Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips joined Member for South Coast Liza Butler and NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen to announce plans for an electric bus manufacturing facility at South Nowra.