Plant Gets Go-ahead
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
After four years of negotiations, the first pipes and power lines will be laid at the East Bendigo food manufacturing precinct next week.
Situated between the Bendigo Aerodrome and the Wellsford Rifle Range, the City of Greater Bendigo council and the developers, Bensons Property Group, are hopeful of the project, named Wellsford Estate, attracting new and existing food manufacturers.
Benson's managing director, Rick Curtis, said council workers would set out utility facilities in the next four months, with development of two 2000 square-metre sheds beginning by the end of the year.
He said the buildings would be flexible in design to accommodate a range of manufacturers.
Mr Curtis would not name companies who had approached him to be part of Wellsford Estate.
But he said 12 Bendigo-based manufacturers signalled their interest.
Pasta Master chief finance officer Greg Walker ruled out his firm setting up shop in the new estate.
"It's not on our radar," he said.
Mr Curtis said existing business would move into Wellsford Estate first, to demonstrate it worked.
Bendigo council's business development manager, Brian Gould, said the project was on the front foot.
He said he was comfortable it would be a goer.
Chief executive John McLean said the project finally beginning was fantastic.
"It's been a long time in the gestation period," he said.
"Because there is a separate area that does suit food manufacturers' activities, we look forward to it growing."
Mr Gould said although the community and t he city had been waiting a long time for work to begin, four years was generally not considered a long time in the development industry.
Source: The Bendigo Advertiser, June 27th 2007
