Wingecarribee Shire Council (WSC)

The potential need for a significant Industrial Enterprise Zone was first identified by the Council as far back as 1989.

The area between Moss Vale and Blue Circle was acknowledged as suitable for future industrial development and consequently included in the 1989 Local Environment Plan as a cross hatched area of 630 hectares.

This area has now been rezoned industrial 4a under the Council’s new Local Environment Plan.

Wingecarribee Shire is experiencing increasing growth as outlined in Council’s recently adopted Strategic Town Plan (Growth Strategy).

Council recognises that it needs to respond by providing employment opportunities for current and future residents.

To this extent, this was the original purpose of the Enterprise Zone that has the potential to provide an employment zone for the whole region.

The Council’s growth strategy directly recognises the importance of transport and logistics hubs.

The outstanding (and continuing) economic growth of Australia and the world in general is providing some unprecedented opportunities to bring to commercial reality many of the above production industries within the Shire.

For the first time in history, every country in the world is in an economic growth phase – normally there are a significant percentage stagnant or in recession.

As a result, investor confidence is high and companies are looking to expand especially in international trade.

Additional to this, the restructuring of Sydney’s international trade infrastructure with the closing of three Sydney ports and the relocation of that trade to Port Kembla, and the new Sydney M7 tollway that opens up the industrial heart of Sydney to the Southern Highlands is bringing increasing inquiries in regard to industrial land.

The area of greatest potential is in the logistics industry and the establishment of the ‘intermodal and logistics hub’ at Moss Vale.

In 2005 WSC commissioned a study on the feasibility of the Industrial Enterprise Zone by Hills PDA. This study has been completed and fully supports the establishment of the intermodal and logistics hub at Moss Vale.

Port Kembla Port Corporation (PKPC)

The NSW Government has determined that three Sydney Ports – Darling Harbour, White Bay and Glebe Island - are to close and the international trade move to Port Kembla.

Glebe Island will be the last to close in February 2008 and handles nearly all the vehicle imports into NSW.

For the past couple of months the WSC has been in discussion with the PKPC to identify areas where the WSC could benefit from leveraging off the extensive development and upgrade of the port.

Current Economic Benefit to the Illawarra

• Economic value of Port throughput is approx $3 billion

• Creates > 3900 direct and indirect jobs

• Significant contributor to the regional economy

• Multiplier 2.7 times

Current Port Developments

• 130 metre extension to MPB – completed 2005

• Total Project cost $140 million

• $30 million private land side development behind the berth April 2006 – Dec 2006

• Construction of MPB 3 currently in progress – cost $40 million – expected completion mid 2007

• Planning for new berth EB 4 – cost $30 million completion – mid 2008

• Further land side development – cost $30 million completion mid 2008

• Road Relocation

• Relocation of rail line to perimeter of the development

• Capital dredging for new berths

• Commencement of planning for future Outer Harbour reclamation

Future Trade Potential

• Break bulk & dry bulk – growth opportunity

• Containers – study to assess capability

• Motor Vehicles – mid 2008

• Opportunity to establish fibre/steel cluster precinct – proposal received

• Bulk liquids – pre-feasibility assessment

Additional Economic Benefit from Port Development

• Additional jobs approx direct/indirect 1000

• Increase in Ship Visits by approx 250 pa

• Project Benefit > $370 million

Wingecarribee Shire Council, Civic Centre, Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale, NSW 2577 Phone: 4868 0706, Fax: 4869 1203 info@SouthernHighlandsBusiness.com

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