A new era of steel manufacturing is set to begin in Newcastle, with Greensteel Australia announcing a $500 million investment to build Australia’s first fully electric steel mill.

The project is expected to strengthen the Hunter’s manufacturing sector, support hundreds of local jobs and boost domestic steel production using a cleaner manufacturing process.

According to the NSW Government, the facility will be the first in Australia to produce steel without using gas, reducing the carbon footprint of steel used in housing, transport and the energy sector while strengthening local supply chains.

The announcement comes amid a series of major investment commitments across the Hunter, with the NSW Government saying projects announced over the past four days are expected to create more than 1,000 jobs across the region.

The government says the investment reflects growing confidence in the Hunter as New South Wales’ manufacturing powerhouse, with continued backing for projects designed to expand local industry, create secure jobs and support long-term economic growth.