Turning the first ceremonial sod of (wet) soil today on the new $6.5 million Armidale Regional Airport Business Park – Mayor Simon Murray, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Councillor Andrew Murat and Deputy Mayor Libby Martin.
Monday, 10 February 2020
DIGGERS have rolled in and preliminary works are underway on the $6.5 million Armidale Regional Airport Business Park, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Mayor Simon Murray today turning the ceremonial first sod of soil on the ground-breaking project.
The State Government contributed $6 million to the precinct, which will see 59 lots of industrial use land developed, adjacent to the airport and the busy New England Highway.
Mr Marshall said Armidale’s economy had been idling for far too long and this park was the perfect chance for the region to realise its full economic potential.
“This is our big chance to finally realise Armidale’s vast and yet to be realised economic potential,” Mr Marshall said.
“This is all about providing prime land for businesses to establish and grow, creating hundreds of new jobs and building a strong future for the region.
“Contractors have their plant on the ground and in just over a week have made good progress on the earthworks which will make up the first of four stages of this development.
“Stage 1 of the business precinct will consist of 24 lots for light industrial usage, which will house a new Service Centre and the long awaited Armidale Transport Museum. It will also include between 2,500 and 4,500 square metre lots which will be sold for business development.
“Over the coming months we will see internal roads start to take shape with kerb and guttering and the infrastructure put in place to provide water, storm water, sewerage, electricity and NBN fibre to each lot.
“This is the start of something really special for Armidale and I can’t wait to see this bare land sprout new business and jobs in the coming years.”
Cr Murray said the Armidale Airport Business Park was the key to unlocking new jobs.
“Whether it’s new start-up businesses looking to tap into high-speed internet or existing logistics companies wanting to harness the benefits of highway and airport frontage the sky is the limit for anyone looking to be brave and get involved in the business park,” Cr Murray said.
“All along we have been talking about the potential for 200 new jobs to be created here but I think that is only the tip of the iceberg when we think of the opportunities which will arise for the wider Armidale region.
“As further stages of the precinct roll on we will see lots established which have airside access which will be perfect for aero related businesses and the potential development of a freight hub with linkages to the airport runway.
“I want to thank Adam and the State Government for backing Armidale Regional Council with this project and I to look forward to seeing where this journey will take our city.”
Mr Marshall said the big selling point for the park was its unique location.
“Whether you are driving into Armidale along the New England Highway or stepping off a plane from Sydney or Brisbane, you can’t miss the Armidale Business Park,” he said.
“There are huge opportunities here for tourism operators and local retailers to work together, centralise their operations and inject themselves smack bang into the visitor economy.
“To have frontage onto one of the busiest highways in the country and the connectivity being right next to the airport is a combination that no other business park across the State can offer.”