The Andrews Labor Government is backing the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) to grow, with two major businesses secured for Stage 2 of the precinct – creating another 600 jobs.
Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing today toured the 438-hectare precinct to announce that McCallum Disability Services and Dahlsens Ballarat will move into Stage 2 of BWEZ with early works to start later this year.
McCallum is the largest social enterprise in Western Victoria employing over 300 people living with disability. Once complete, the enterprise will move into the one facility where it will have room to expand – creating 275 jobs.
Dahlsens Ballarat is also choosing to base its operations at BWEZ so that they can expand. Dahlsens is a Victorian, independent hardware retailer that specialises in prefabricated building materials. Once complete its new truss and frame factory will create 70 jobs.
BWEZ is a $30 million joint initiative between the Labor Government and the City of Ballarat, which is being delivered by Development Victoria. Stage 1 is now complete, and 23 land lots have been sold or are under negotiation for Stage 2. Together they will create approximately 1200 full-time jobs in Ballarat.
The Government is backing businesses to grow in BWEZ, including Alevo, which is operating in its newly purpose-built head office and factory.
Locally owned and operated Alevo, has a history of entrepreneurship and innovation, manufacturing medical, physio and beauty treatment tables for the Australian and international market.
With support from the Regional Jobs Fund the company built a new factory at BWEZ, allowing it to manufacture more treatment tables to meet growing demand. The new factory has created 15 new jobs and will see Alevo boost its exports from $3 million per year to an expected $10 million by 2025.
Alevo joins 21 other successful companies to move into Stage 1 of the precinct, including food manufacturers Luv-a-duck, laboratory equipment manufacturer Westlab, Findlay Engineering, Sovereign Civil and Kane Transport.
There is high demand for industrial land in Ballarat, with Stage 2 and 3 of BWEZ selling fast. BWEZ is positioned to be an Intermodal Freight Hub, which will give freight and logistics tenants access to road, rail and aviation infrastructure all from the one location.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing
“BWEZ is continuing to drive growth in Ballarat and for Western Victoria more broadly, giving businesses the room they need to expand and create jobs.”
“Stage 1 and 2 of BWEZ are already exceeding our expectations – I’m excited to see what the next 20 years will bring and the thousands of jobs this precinct will create.”
As stated by Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
“We’re investing in Ballarat’s west so that we can expand businesses and create more local jobs for our region.”
