• Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook Star

15th January 2008 11:05:32 AM

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WYNDHAM City Council is calling on the State Government to release its strategic plan for the Werribee Technology Precinct, which was prepared more than a year ago.

Identified as one of the most promising science, research and technology regions, the precinct remains largely underdeveloped.

The 925-hectare site, beside the Princes Freeway at Werribee, has the potential to provide an increase in Victorian gross regional product exceeding $6.3 billion.

The council wants the government, through the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, to release the plan, which was prepared in November 2006, so everyone can get a move-on in further development of the precinct.

Wyndham mayor Kim McAliney said the precinct had the potential to boost the Wyndham economy, as well as providing much-needed employment opportunities for local residents.

“Wyndham is known as a dormitory suburb, with 66 per cent of the workforce travelling outside the city for employment,” she said.

“The Werribee Technology Precinct has the potential to create 18,000 jobs and this prospect is simply too valuable to go on being ignored.

“The State Government acknowledged the potential of the area by engaging Jackson Architecture, Price Waterhouse Coopers, the Allen Consulting Group and GHD to prepare the Werribee Technology Park Precinct Strategic Plan.

“Council is eagerly awaiting the release of this plan and the commitment of resources from the government for its implementation.

“Without an adequate governance structure and the allocation of resources, the development of the precinct will be stunted.”

A steering committee made up of community and council members and industry representatives was established to oversee the production of the strategy, however the report has not been released.

In the absence of a governance model, the council and other institutions have formed the heads of institutions committee, with Cr Bob Fairclough as the council’s representative on this committee. Cr McAliney said the report must be made public so that options could be discussed as a priority and implemented.

“The report must still be considered by the Minister for Innovation Gavin Jennings, and decisions taken and improvements funded,” she said.

“Until this occurs, the technology precinct will continue to be severely under-developed.

“The Werribee Technology Precinct is a specialised activity centre under Melbourne 2030 and part of the precinct is earmarked as a designated transit city area.

“For these additional focuses to be realised, further funds are required.

“We are looking for the implementation of a precinct development plan and a focused master plan for stage one works, including a governance model and marketing strategy.

“The precinct will offer opportunities in the areas of education, research and private and public enterprise.

“The council will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to advocate for the future development of one of Wyndham’s greatest employment opportunities.”

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