Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, in her role as Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories, today received an on-site briefing on the freight hub proposed as a key element of the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ).
The first stage of the Ballarat Freight Hub is seen as a catalyst to advance the development of the BWEZ and has been costed at $17.27 million.
“I am aware of the work done to advance this important project for the Ballarat region and am keen to ensure I’m kept up-to-date with what is planned,” Ms King said.
“I will continue to advance this important project through discussions within with my Government colleagues..
“I want to see this project happen,” Ms King said.
“The BWEZ will be critical for employment in Ballarat as the city continues to grow in the years ahead with 9000 new jobs and a forecast $5 billion in economic output each year.
“Without a start on the freight hub the prospects of the BWEZ will potentially be stalled, so I am keen to ensure that if there is some way of moving the project along I can see that it happens.”
Ms King visited the location with the chair of the Committee for Ballarat, Judy Verlin, and its CEO Mr John Kilgour.
The first stage of the freight hub provides for the establishment of a facility for handling road-based freight, including throughput of up to 195 road freight vehicles a day and provision of about 2500 square metres of storage space.
Three further stages of development would see expansion of the hub to ultimately incorporate rail freight movements.
“Ballarat is a rapidly developing city and we need to have the foresight to ensure that we put in place the building blocks which will carry it forward, delivering jobs and economic impetus,” Ms King said.
“The developments proposed for Ballarat West offer the opportunity to provide new, lasting and creative employment opportunities for people from throughout the region.
“That is why this first stage of the Ballarat Freight Hub is so important to kick start vital further economic development.”