Welcome to Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association Tuesday, March 19 2024 @ 06:16 AM  
Home |  Contribute |  About Us |  Google map of Newcastle |  Media 2014 |  MOVIES of Steelworks |  Links |  Polls |  Forum |  Media Gallery |  My Downloads |  Site Statistics | 
Site Menu

What's New

Stories

No new stories

Forum Posts
Order: New Views Posts
Latest Forum Posts
MUSTER POINT:
 By:  aub
 On:  12/07/12 05:52 AM
 Views 40915 Replies 0
THE BHP REUNION_
 By:  aub
 On:  09/23/12 09:15 AM
 Views 42998 Replies 0
Guest Speaker
 By:  aub
 On:  04/24/12 23:05 PM
 Views 47249 Replies 0
BHP MEMORIAL FUND DO..
 By:  aub
 On:  11/10/11 23:24 PM
 Views 39789 Replies 0
Henry McKenzie
 By:  aub
 On:  08/11/11 23:56 PM
 Views 23813 Replies 0

Older Stories

Wednesday 16/02/22

  • Delprat's Cottage and garden OPEN DAYS (0)

  • Monday 14/02/22

  • Vital to the War Effort (0)

  • Friday 20/08/21

  • VIDEO PRODUCTION for Fortress Newcastle (0)

  • Thursday 17/06/21

  • NIHA at RICHMOND VALE RAILWAY (0)

  • Tuesday 25/05/21

  • TOCAL ARTILLERY RANGE (0)


  • Steel - The Final Years


    The Final Years

    In 1992, the cost reduction scheme known as the Business Improvement Plan (BIP) was introduced. In the same year the new Supply and Personnel system (SAP) began.

    In September, in Future Directions, BHP announced it would continue integrated steelmaking operations at Newcastle Steelworks. Significant expenditure was proposed on plant improvement and the introduction of new technology.

    The Sydney Mini Mill (later known simply as the Sydney Steel Mill) was commissioned in September.

    Bob Kirkby was appointed Group General Manager on February 1, 1993. One of Kirkby's first initiatives was a focus on safety. World-class safety experts DuPont assisted Rod and Bar to implement safety changes. The Steelworks launched the environment improvement program ‘Towards 2000’ in 1994.  In December, coal-fired power generation ceased with the Steelworks buying 90% of its electricity from Pacific Power.

    Sydney Steel Mill's $100 miIlion rolling mill rolled its first bar on October 10 1994.

    As Newcastle Steelworks celebrated its 80th birthday in June 1995, concern mounted about its future.

    BHP industrial land to the west of the Steelworks was set aside for a future industrial park, later called Steel River.

    The coke ovens created a world first in its $2.8million repair of the 5A battery - it was the deepest hot regenerator repair undertaken on an Otto battery and used a specially built water-cooled cage.

    In 1996, Rod and Bar Products merged with Long Products (Whyalla) to form the Long Products Division, headquartered in Newcastle. In August, BHP announced a far-reaching review of Steel Group, including Long Products, because of disappointing profit results.

    On April 29 1997, BHP announced the future of the Steelworks. Main points were that iron and steel making would be phased out by the end of 1999, with the loss of 2,500 jobs. The existing rod and bar mills were to be retained along with an expanded wire mill. Feed for Newcastle would be supplied from Whyalla.

    A major human resources program, ‘Pathways’, incorporating career planning, retraining, retirement and financial advice, counselling and a host of supports, was launched to assist employees to prepare for job loss. Departmental Transition Steering Teams comprising representatives of employees, unions, management and staff provided input into closure organisation.

    1998 was marked by preparations for closure. The Federal Government approved ‘Manufacturing in Bond’ for the Steel River site, planning started for the ‘Ribbons of Steel’ arts festival to commemorate closure, and Steelworks' tours restarted.

    $18million was spent on improving the Bar Mill to a world-class operation and $44million was spent on upgrading the Wire Mill. On August 31, the Newcastle mainframe was turned off marking the end of an era in computers.

    On 30 September 1999, iron and steel making ceased and the plant closed. All structures except a few heritage-listed buildings have since been demolished. The site is currently being remediated awaiting reuse, possibly as a container terminal.

    The Rod Mill, Bar Mill, and what started as Stewarts & Lloyds, Rylands and the Wire Rope Works were all amalgamated to become Onesteel, which continues operating today as the descendants of the once-massive Newcastle Steelworks.

    Complied from notes by Sue Maiden, and from RodBar – final edition.


    Last Updated Monday, March 23 2009 @ 08:15 AM|10,625 Hits View Printable Version


    Who's Online
    Guest Users: 5

    User Functions





    Lost your password?


    Random Image

    Topics
    Home
    Reunions (1)
    Steelworks (4)
    General (78)
    Websites Updates (0)

    Poll
    WHAT COUNTRY ARE YOU VISITING THIS SITE FROM

    WHAT COUNTRY ARE YOU VISITING THIS SITE FROM

    •  AUSTRALIA
    •  AMERICA
    •  JAPAN
    •  FRANCE
    •  GREECE
    •  ENGLAND< IRE> SCOT>
    •  CHINA
    •  OTHER
    This poll has 0 more questions.
    Results
    Other polls | 258 votes


    Created this page in 0.06 seconds

     Copyright © 2024 Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association
     All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners.

    - Hosted and maintained by Exact IT -

    Powered By