By BRIDGET COOK
THE vision for the Thompsons Base Business Park was officially launched last week marking the first development in a future employment hub in Cranbourne West which could create up to 16,500 jobs.
Minister for State Development Peter Ryan visited Casey last week to celebrate the launch of MAB’s Thompsons Base Business Park, which will create 800 jobs itself.
The 19-hectare park will be the first industrial development in the broader 450 hectare Cranbourne West employment precinct.
Once it is up and running, the Cranbourne West employment hub as a whole is predicted to create between 10,500 and 16,500 new jobs.
Mr Hall said the Thompsons Base Business Park would boost the Cranbourne West economy and provide a place for local investors to set up new small businesses.
“The new industrial estate has been welcomed by businesses wanting to set-up in the area, with MAB having already sold 19 lots worth more than $7 million,” he said.
Mr Hall said the State Government recognised the importance of setting aside and protecting large tracts of employment land in growth areas – as was the case with the Cranbourne West employment precinct.
“This area has been planned to host a variety of industrial and commercial activities that will provide local work opportunities for local residents, reducing the need for locals to travel outside the region for work,” he said.
MAB chief operating officer David Hall said the launch of Thompsons Base heralds the next generation of business communities and will service the City of Casey, which has been consistently part of the top 10 growth councils in Australia.
City of Casey Mayor Geoff Ablett said the development was a boon for Casey and Melbourne’s outer south east.
He said each day more than 70 per cent of the region’s working residents were leaving the area to travel to work.
“Council is working to attract investment to Casey and boost business growth to increase local employment opportunities,” he said.
“The development of the Thompsons Base Business Park will have an enormous flow-on effect for the local economy as residents now have another opportunity to work and shop locally,” he said.
“This will have a positive impact on family life with less time spent commuting and more time with friends and family.”
