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$50m ’Burra boost

 

A BUSINESS park in Korumburra worth in the vicinity of $50 million could create 200 jobs.

The energy of Korumburra businessman John Kennedy coupled with the experience of his business partner Alistair Jack are behind the purchase and development of the new industrial site.

With the ink barely dry on the sale contracts, the Korumburra Gardens Business Park is expected to be the new face of industry for the area.

The site covers almost 20 hectares (47.9 acres) of land at the western end of the existing industrial estate in the town, accessible via 5 Adkins Street.

Mr Kennedy said the site will be developed into an attractive, sustainable and carefully designed location for enterprise.

As the owner of the Korumburra Bicycle Fitting Store and developer of The Borough cafe and food store, Mr Kennedy’s vision is to make full potential of Korumburra’s proximity to Melbourne.

“There are so many people moving to this area but there are no jobs. The businesses on the existing industrial estate have already got all the people they need,” he said.

“You’ve had three shops open on the main street in the past few months that are creating new jobs but there are no heavy duty jobs in the area.

“On the completion of the business park, we estimate 200 jobs will be created and many more during the construction period.”

The property has two creek systems which will be cleared of environmental weeds and designed with walking tracks and ponds for public use.

According to the business park development manager Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks, the layout design and new permits will be obtained following expressions of interest from end users.

“Feedback from real estate agents in the area is that there is not a lot of industrial land available in Korumburra,” he said.

“We are approaching universities who may need research facilities and government departments, as well as businesses in Melbourne seeking development in regional areas.

“What’s important is that we will be using local trades wherever possible in the construction phase.”

It is understood South Gippsland Shire Council chief executive officer Tim Tamlin has been briefed on the development to request the site be given priority and council resources due to its potential for significant economic impact to the area.

Committee for Gippsland chief executive officer Sophie Morell, who visited the site last week, said it was exciting to see a local business person driving development in the area.

“When development is driven by locals, it is more likely to create long term sustainability for the region and that is really encouraging,” she said.

“This project can bring benefits not just for Korumburra but for all of Gippsland.”

Big project: from left, Korumburra Gardens Business Park developer Alistair Jack, development manager Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks and Korumburra Gardens Business Park developer John Kennedy.

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Posted by on Sep 11 2018. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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