Industrial land purchase signals bright future for Burdekin economy

Burdekin Shire Council this week agreed to purchase a 14.23ha parcel of land at Craig St Ayr, paving the way for a much needed 45 lot (estimated) expansion of the Ayr Industrial Estate.

After months of negotiations with relevant landowners, Council agreed to purchase the vacant parcel and an internal access block, located directly south of the existing industrial estate.

Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the land purchase was a ‘shot in the arm’ for industrial development in the Shire, providing a stimulus to drive economic growth and jobs in the Burdekin.

“We know that there are local businesses wanting to expand their operations and businesses outside the Shire wanting to relocate to the Burdekin,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“Council is dedicated to providing economic development opportunities that will have lasting positive impacts for the Shire.”

Funds to purchase the land were provided in the Capital Program component of the 2019/20 Budget.

“As part of our commitment to a prosperous future for the Shire, Burdekin Shire is determined to delivery of what will be a legacy project for this term of Council,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“It’s about establishing an environment where businesses can expand or relocate to our Shire, and provide an opportunity for young people to remain in the Burdekin by growing local jobs.”

While the signing of the land purchase contracts today marked a milestone for the industrial estate expansion, Cr McLaughlin confirmed further planning work would be required before on the ground works could commence.

“This is the first step in a sustained journey to provide much needed additional industrial land in the Shire. We still have a number of steps to take before the new industrial land will be available for purchase,” she said.

“The next phase will be to complete the required planning to change the land zoning from ‘village’ to ‘industrial’, and then undertake the required development works on the ground.

“Council is hoping that by this time next year we will be looking to pre-release the first blocks, with physical construction scheduled by the end December 2020.”

Media contact:          Nick O’Connor

Phone:                        (07) 4783 9800