LAND designated for industrial development will open up in Tamworth during the coming months as part of council’s continued commitment to creating sustainable growth in the city.
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Tamworth Regional Council director planning and community services Jackie Kruger said there were a number of areas where land was still available for industrial development from heavy industry to light industry, rural industry and bulky goods.
“Heavy industry is zoned within the Glen Artney Industrial Estate where there is currently 60ha vacant which is in private ownership,” she said.
Council also owns two blocks of land including the existing saleyards – together totalling about 14.5 hectares, which could be opened up if there were demand in the near future.
Mrs Kruger said once the new saleyards – the Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange – came into operation mid-year, the existing council-owned saleyard site on Goddard Ln would be remediated and then released for industrial purposes.
“At the moment there is no pressure being experienced by council to zone further land for heavy industry,” Mrs Kruger said.
In the latter part of 2012 council approved the rezoning of Glen Artney West from RU4 Primary Production small lots to RU1 Primary Production.
Mrs Kruger said the change had helped to facilitate the establishment of a food processing cluster in the area because the revised zoning permits a wider range of activities including livestock processing, rural industries, heavy industries and general industries.
“This proposal is still subject to final approval by the minister for planning and infrastructure before the Tamworth Region Local Environmental Plan 2010 can be amended,” she said.
If approved, council expects a further 74ha would become available for sale.
Other industrial sites in Tamworth expected to be available in the near future include a 120 ha business park site bound by New Winton Rd and Country Rd near the Tamworth airport.
That site would cater for all forms of light and general industries.
In December, council approved Hunter Land Holdings Pty Ltd’s proposal to develop stage one with 33 lots, which leaves a further 100ha available for future development in the business park.
At the same time council approved the South Tamworth Master Plan which incorporates the potential for a commercial zone of about 80ha along the New England Highway which could also accommodate light industrial activity and bulky goods.
The master plan was submitted to the minister for planning and infrastructure last month, and, once endorsed, will pave the way for the development of a formal planning proposal, with zone changes as required.
“This process could take up to 12 months,” Mrs Kruger said.
