Water works support park growth

THE “last piece of the puzzle” relating to an expansion at the Bannockburn Industrial Estate has been solved, with funding announced for stormwater works at the site.

Last week state Minister for Regional Development, Mary-Anne Thomas, visited the estate and revealed $2 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund would support an additional $1.1 million from land owners and developer Josco to get the works underway.

Once the site upgrades, that include a retarding basin and stormwater piping are complete a 21.7-hectare expansion to the industrial estate can begin.

“It’s so great to see so much bustling activity, so many people at work, here in Bannockburn,” Ms Thomas said.

“We want more people to be able to work here, but what that means is unlocking land that is suitable for development.

“It’s all about unlocking that private sector investment, creating local jobs and ensuring this community can continue to thrive.”

John O’Shannassy from Josco said without the State Government money to assist with the stormwater works, it wouldn’t be possible to open the land for an expansion of the industrial estate.

Once the planned stormwater infrastructure is installed the developer will need to build roads, sewers, power and other utilities to support the estimated 15 lots on the site.

“It’s been in the pipeline for that last seven or eight years, and we just couldn’t make it work with the cost of the drainage,” Mr O’Shannassy said. “It would have made the development cost too much.

“This was needed to get the project up and running. It’s the last piece of the puzzle we need to go out and do the design.”

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby welcomed the announcement and said once the expanded estate is up and running it would bring benefits to the community.

“The development of the Bannockburn Industrial Estate is critical to growing the local economy… and today’s announcement of the $3.1 million stormwater infrastructure project makes this plan a reality,” she said.

“It will now be possible to develop the next stage of the estate and open up 21.7 hectares to welcome new businesses, support business expansion and attract new jobs for residents to work and live in Golden Plains Shire.”

The works at the site to install the stormwater infrastructure are expected to be complete by 2022 and there’s no firm timeframe on the opening of the expanded industrial estate.

Rezoning of the 21.7 hectares by Golden Plains Shire will be required before further construction can be undertaken.