Narrandera Shire Council has now paved the way for two major manufacturing industries to establish at Red Hill Industrial Estate following Council’s approval of a further subdivision of land at the estate.
Mayor Neville Kschenka joined the two new enterprises’ General Managers to announce these new industries, which will see the creation of over 135 jobs in the coming years.
“This is a landmark announcement. Today I can formally identify the Bhullar Group – who plan to establish a major steel fabrication factory and industry training facility on seven hectares of land initially, with a further 3.5 hectares earmarked for future expansion.”
“Additionally, Hi-Tech Modular Homes plans to establish a purpose-built state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on a 3.5-hectare site in Paterson Place, Red Hill Industrial Estate,” Mayor Kschenka said.
Mayor Kschenka said that the selection of Narrandera by these companies was vindication for Council’s economic development strategy that has identified Narrandera as a strategic location for major industry development and has provided this opportunity through industrial zone land reserves at Red Hill Industrial Estate.
Michael Bhullar, General Manager for Bhullar Group, confirmed that his firm’s development will progress in three stages with the first to commence immediately.
“The first stage will comprise fabrication workshops which will increase our fabrication capacity by 50%, thus enabling Bhullar Group’s ability to take on bigger projects. Narrandera provides us with a strategic advantage to enable us to service not only existing clients but also new clients in NSW and VIC,” Mr Buller said.
The first stage of the Bhullar development is expected to cost around $7 to $10 million, and the total development is estimated to cost $20 to $25 million.
The second development phase for Bhullar is to establish a Skills Development Facility to upskill trades in critical metal and fabrication trades currently in high demand.
Mayor Kschenka said that upon completion of Bhullar’s first stage more than 50 jobs are expected to be created providing opportunities for local businesses and local trades and labour. At the end of the second phase Bhullar estimate that 80 – 100 direct jobs will be created.
Mr Rex Ratnam, General Manager for High-Tech Modular Homes commented that his company was very excited about its planned move to Narrandera. “We have been building modular homes for over 30 years in our factory at Bringelly in Southern Sydney.”
“Our company can build modular houses in as little as eight weeks and they are then transported to clients for establishment on site, usually within two days.”
“We chose Narrandera as it offers good access to many of our markets and the Narrandera Shire Council has demonstrated forward thinking and dynamism to encourage our move here,” Mr Ratnam said.
“Phase one of the Hi-Tech development is expected to cost more than $1 million, and 20 – 25 people will be employed with forecast additional future opportunity at later phases,” Mr Ratnam added.
Council’s Infrastructure team will begin works at Red Hill Estate in the near future to create approximately 500 metres of new sealed road frontage and the extension of services such as gas, water and electricity.
Mayor Kschenka said that both new industries had been introduced by QPL Real Estate who acted as Council’s agents for the sale of the respective parcels of land.
Image Caption: Birdseye view of Red Hill Industrial Estate.
