Long interview for job in Lyons

IT'S a typically busy day for Susie Bower, with meetings in Richmond at the start and in New Norfolk at the end. Between those bookends, there’s the demands of being CEO of Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone.

And that schedule was after she drove from her Westbury home, two and half hours away. 

Such is the lot of a businesswoman and political candidate, especially in the 33,000 square kilometres of Lyons, Tasmania’s largest electorate.

This morning, Bower learned firsthand from two Richmond farmers about the $300 million Southeast Irrigation Scheme, recently left high and dry by the Federal Government.

Designed to integrate three existing schemes in the Southern Midlands this, the largest element, is sourced directly from Lake Meadowbank.

The problem, notes Bower, is that despite a strong case put to the Commonwealth – and the necessary 50 per cent committed by farmers and the Tasmanian government – the scheme is unfunded. 

“And that’s after farmers here in Lyons have invested,” she says. “These farmers I spoke to today, they’re ready to invest more. James is looking at another $2.5 million in the planting phase alone, and that would take his business from two people up to 10.

“What do I do with this? I’ve got to put a case forward to our Liberal people in Canberra, and see if we can get an election commitment to get this scheme finished. That’s the way to do it.”

With two decades of local government and higher education, Bower is no stranger to politics. She served on Meander Valley Council until her last tilt at politics, in May of 2022, where she drew a 13 per cent swing to the Liberals.

“This is a huge electorate, especially when you’re working full time, so this next election – whenever it’s held in the next few months – renews my opportunity to get around and talk to people.

“It’s been ideal to get early pre-selection, to continue to build relationships. I’m serious… I’m all in.” She laughs. “As I’ve said, this is the longest job interview known to man.”

Forming relationships is Bower’s modus operandi, how she juggles the Bell Bay gig and running the Northern Jobs Hub in Launceston. 

On being a female in a male-centric business of industry, her answer is both effective and subtle.

“It’s about building relationships with people and it doesn’t really a matter what industry you’re in. 

“Build those relationships and you can make things happen. You get collaboration and trust when you do what you say you’re going to do, and you deliver. That’s when you get respect... You say something, people listen.” 

On Bell Bay, she’s upbeat about a proposed hydrogen manufacturing plant. Despite setbacks, that project is “still very much in play” with the leading company, Abel Energy planning a green methanol project.

The result will be 300,000 tonnes per year of the low polluting fuel for shipping.

“The demand for green methanol is worldwide,” she says. Mersk, the giant shipping company has ordered 121 new ships using it. “Imagine the tsunami of demand,” she adds. “So we need to get the supply ready, and to do that in Bell Bay.”

On the subject of shipping, she praises the Incat announcement to build its next generation of electric ferries at a site at Boyer. The impact on “job creation and the manufacturing base here in the Derwent Valley is going to really help,” she says. 

“And it’s always been about small communities for me,” says the woman who grew up in Chudleigh before moving to Deloraine as a kid. 

“Small communities… I get them. I know how to talk to people, to relate to them in their particular circumstance in life. 

What are people in Lyons talking about?

“The shortage of GPs; that’s a concern. We need a long term solution to that, as the number of doctors choosing to become GPs has dropped. There’s a lot of work to be done.

“And the cost of living is a huge issue for everyone. Housing is another one. How can we bring inflation down, interest rates down? That will help people in Lyons and everywhere.” 

Susie Bower points out she has a mortgage. “I negotiated a new rate last year, the same with insurance. I learned to question the new insurance bill and I got it down.  

“Here’s my advice… A phone call never hurts,” she smiles. “And can save you money!”