Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges Councils have partnered to safeguard and expand the economic importance of Bayswater Business Precinct (BBP), ensuring its continued growth as an economic powerhouse in the eastern suburbs.
The Bayswater Business Precinct (BBP) is a unique industrial precinct that crosses the municipal boundaries of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges council areas and is the second largest employment precinct in the Eastern Metropolitan Region. It incorporates areas of the suburbs of Bayswater, Bayswater North, Kilsyth, Kilsyth South and Montrose.
It is home to a strong ecosystem of well-connected industries with robust local supply chains. The businesses in the precinct are diverse and include small to medium sized family businesses as well as multinationals.
To continue this good work, the BBP Transformation Strategy was recently endorsed by all three Councils to attract key investment, grow jobs, and improve infrastructure in the area over the next 10 years.
“A key foundation of this strategy is the commitment to collaboration between our three councils,” said Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child.
“With this Strategy in place, we will be working together to transform this vital economic asset into a dynamic, future-focused precinct committed to creating high-value employment opportunities, robust local supply chains, business diversification and strategic investment attraction.
“The Bayswater Business Precinct holds unparalleled opportunities for manufacturing and commercial businesses in Greater Melbourne,” said Cr Child.
Maroondah Mayor, Cr Rob Steane OAM said that it was important to meet challenges arising from population growth and global economic and industrial transition.
“BBP is home to more than 5,000 businesses and employs over 30,000 people, with over 70 per cent of workers within the BBP living in one of the three municipalities. We want to ensure that the precinct can attract the new investment required to grow the number of employment opportunities and maintain the region’s economic prosperity into the future,” he said.
“The Strategy will help guide our ongoing advocacy for the region including transport upgrades to manage freight and congestion, updating the amenity of the precinct and collectively developing urban planning directions,” said Cr Steane.
Knox Mayor, Cr Marcia Timmers-Leitch said that business owners, employees and residents will all benefit from a revitalised BBP.
“There is a dedicated cross-council BBP team available to assist businesses in the BBP, attract investment to the precinct and provide a coordinated approach to help BBP businesses access the services and support they need from both government and private sector programs.”
“The team can connect with agencies, regulators and professional services to help solve complex issues and challenges for you and your business,” she said.
