By Eleanor Wilson
Construction of a $323 million business precinct in Officer South, which will provide 240 jobs annually, is officially underway.
Treasurer Tim Pallas joined McMullin developer chairman Peter McMullin AM, Cardinia Shire mayor Tammy Radford, council chief executive Carol Jeffs and Pakenham MP Emma Vulin to turn the sod on the ambitious Cardinia Road project.
One quarter of the land plots in the 92-hectare precinct are already sold, with stage one of the project expected to be completed in 12 months’ time.
Mr McMullin said the industrial precinct was a fulfilment of the family-owned business’ vision to bring Victorian communities closer together through innovative and quality projects.
“From our point of view this is a really important project and it’s something that we at McMullin are very proud of,” he said.
“It’s a culmination of a lot of work by a lot of people, including Winslow, SMEC, NAB, all our partners have been vital in getting us to the point we’re at today.”
Mr Pallas stressed the importance of establishing jobs in growth corridors like Cardinia.
“It’s important that we recognise that we shouldn’t be transporting communities to jobs, we should be transporting jobs to communities.
“It has massive economic benefits, but it also has profound societal benefits as well.”
Currently, about two thirds of Cardinia Shire residents leave the municipality to travel to work each day.
Mayor Tammy Radford said she hopes the business park will help provide closer employment for the shire’s blue collar workers, which make up about 40 per cent of the region’s workforce.
“There has been a desire for some time to create more industrial opportunities for the shire, which is why I’m so pleased that we’re here to celebrate the beginning of the Kaduna Business Park journey,” Cr Radford said.
“This business park is a much needed new asset for the area and will be a wonderful addition to the local businesses that we’re already so lucky to have here in Cardinia Shire.”
An eight-year vision, Kaduna Business Park is set to join Pakenham’s South East Business Park in McMullin’s business portfolio in the shire.
Local property developer Parklea has also been engaged on the project, alongside engineering company SMEC and Winslow construction.
