Lift off for the Armidale Regional Airport Business Park today, Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray, left, Cr Andrew Murat, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Cr John Galletley, Cr Di Gray, Group Leader Organisation Services Lindsay Woodland and Director of Operations Mark Piorkowski
Friday, 22 February 2019
$6.5m for 73-lot development to create 200-plus new jobs
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has declared today as Armidale’s “coming of age” announcing a $6.5 million investment from the State Government to establish the Armidale Regional Airport 73-lot Business Park.
“Today is culmination of years of hard work, hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in new health, education and water infrastructure and services in the region and the realisation of a grand vision to drive jobs growth and economic development,” Mr Marshall said.
“This project is all about attracting business here, creating hundreds of new jobs and realising the vast economic potential Armidale has always had, but never achieved.
“The vision has always been to make Armidale the economic powerhouse it always should have been and has the potential to be.
“With more than 200 new jobs set to created with the development of the park, this would be the biggest jobs creation project Armidale has seen for decades.”
Mr Marshall was joined at the site of the new business park today by Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray, Councillors, Armidale Business Chamber and representatives of the Australian Transport Museum committee.
“Council has done a great job with the proposal and also ensuring the new $3 million roundabout on the New England Highway will be completed shortly to provide access to the park, the airport and the iconic Saumarez Homestead,” Mr Marshall said.
Mr Marshall commended Armidale Regional Council for putting together to business park proposal and said the $6.5 million would allow council to subdivide 17.5 hectares of land to the immediate south of the airport, building roads, utilities and amenities to cater to up to dozens of new industrial and commercial lots.
“This area is perfect for industrial and commercial usage, providing direct access to the airport precinct and the New England Highway,” he said. “It’s an area for business development that Armidale has traditionally lacked.
“A convenient location directly on the New England Highway and alongside the Airport makes it an unmissable opportunity for businesses in avionics, agriculture, manufacturing, retail and tourism.
Mr Marshall said council was already in discussions with around 15 businesses that were keen to purchase areas of land if it was made available.
“This park project will be instrumental in diversifying Armidale’s mix of industries and local economy,” he said. “Developments like these appeal to a huge amount of companies, from freight and logistics to companies looking for office spaces conveniently located next to a major regional airport.
“Through providing greater opportunities for people in white and blue collar professions, we can ensure young people choose our region as a place to live, work and invest.”
Mr Marshall said the project would be the lynchpin in a period of major reform for Armidale, seeing the region embrace new development and investment.
“The Armidale region has always had tremendous economic potential and this project will jump start the growth of new industry,” he said.
“The business park will be yet another major positive project for the region and dovetail in with the airport terminal upgrades, the TAFE NSW Digital Headquarters, the Armidale Secondary College, the hospital redevelopment, Malpas Dam to Guyra Pipeline and move of the APVMA to the region.
“I’d like to see our region become the fastest growing region in our state and a win for Armidale is a win for the whole region.”