Inspecting plans for the new Armidale Regional Business Park, Armidale Regional Council Group Leader for Organisational Services Lindsay Woodlands, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Councillor Andrew Murat, Mayor Simon Murray and Councillor Diane Gray.
Wednesday, 24 January 2018
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall will spearhead a $7.2 million plan to unlock Armidale Regional Airport’s proposed 73-lot Business Park – taking a recent funding application from council directly to the NSW Government.
Mr Marshall has invited Deputy Premier and Regional NSW Minister John Barilaro to tour the park site personally to see the area’s potential and get an understanding of the huge economic impact the project will have on the region.
“These plans have been a long time in the making, but now the time is right to open up this park and start creating hundreds of news jobs in the region,” Mr Marshall said.
“I’ll do everything I can to support this important economic development project and ensure it gets going – it would be the biggest jobs creation project Armidale has seen for decades.
“This is a perfect project for the NSW Government’s new $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is designed to financially empower regional communities, with large pools of funding to smash down roadblocks inhibiting economic growth.
“Council has done a great job putting together a very compelling case for funding for this project.”
Mr Marshall and council are requesting $5 million from the government, with council to fund the remaining $2.2 million, 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 several businesses that were keen to purchase areas of land if it was made available.
“Funding this project will be instrumental in diversifying Armidale’s mix of industries and local economy, offering hundreds of new jobs in ever broader fields,” he said.
“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 Future School, the Hospital redevelopment 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.”