The Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is going from strength-to-strength, with the Treasurer Tim Pallas today announcing four new tenants who will cumulatively bring 160 new jobs to the precinct.
BWEZ is a $30 million joint initiative between the Andrews Labor Government and the City of Ballarat to support the region’s economic growth over the next 20 years.
The tenants include laboratory equipment manufacturer Westlab, Findlay Engineering, Milestone Benchtops, and civil construction company Pipecon.
Westlab is establishing an innovation centre and head office, creating 21 jobs over the next three years. Construction is almost complete, and the company expects to move in at the end of this month.
Findlay Engineering is expanding its current operations at Wendouree Industrial Park to win larger contracts. The company also owns farm machinery dealership Ozvalue Ag, and will expand its operations into BWEZ. Development of both businesses will create 90 jobs over three years.
Milestone Benchtops will create a purpose-built facility for producing granite, quartz, and marble benchtops, which will significantly improve production and create 10 jobs over three years.
Pipecon will develop a site for its industry-leading sewer and water infrastructure projects, creating 40 jobs over three years. The new facility is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
BWEZ is delivering about 400 hectares of industrial land to attract large-scale businesses to Ballarat, which will build on the region’s existing strengths and help boost the local economy.
It has been designed to enhance business productivity, with a freight hub on site, access for high productivity freight vehicles, top quality infrastructure, and close access to Ballarat airport.
Ballarat’s economy continues to grow at pace and, boosted by cuts to payroll tax by the Labor Government, jobs growth has continued, with an unemployment rate of 3.6 per cent.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas
“Ballarat West Employment Zone is set to become the engine room for Ballarat’s growth over the next 20 years, and the latest land sales prove how popular it is with growing businesses.”
“More and more businesses are choosing to base their operations in our regions, which is good for local communities and good for Victoria.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020