The Central Coast, Devonport, Kentish and Latrobe Councils have come together to address the region’s industrial land supply, completing their first joint project under the Mersey Leven Strategic Alliance with the release of the Mersey Leven Industrial Land Study.
The study found that the Mersey Leven region currently has only 67.2 hectares of vacant industrial land available, equivalent to approximately 18 years’ supply. It suggests that regional councils should identify 20-30 years of industrial land to support jobs, attract investment and ensure that existing businesses have room to grow.
The study also sets out how the four councils can work together to plan for this future demand. A key recommendation is to explore the concept of a Mersey Leven Major Enterprise Precinct near Devonport Airport, which would bring together a cluster of sites to support large-scale industries and could serve as a catalyst for further joint investment attraction.
Alliance Chair and Central Coast Mayor, Cr Cheryl Fuller, said that the study will inform future joint and individual council decision-making.
“This is a great example of councils working together. Not only was it more cost effective than each of us undertaking a separate study, but it has delivered a much better outcome,” Mayor Fuller said. “All four councils have endorsed the study and agreed to explore the Mersey Leven Major Enterprise Precinct in more detail, which has exciting potential in terms of how we might jointly promote the region as an investment destination.”
The Alliance has written to the Minister for Planning, the State Planning Office and the Cradle Coast Authority requesting that the study be considered as an important input into relevant state and regional planning work.