Lismore Employment Lands Opens

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg was joined by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin to officially open the $14.2 million Employment Lands project in Goonellabah.

The project is designed to unlock the Goonellabah Industrial Estate to spur investment and create more local jobs by extending Oliver Avenue to link with the Bruxner Highway.

Mayor Krieg said the project is important for our community as Council looks to attract investment to grow our local economy.

“It’s great to see this joint Federal, State and Council funded project now open. It creates more flood-free land for local industry that will create more local jobs,” he said.

“The project has been delayed due to the February 2022 natural disaster, but I would like to congratulate the construction team on the finished product.”

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin emphasised the significance of the project.

“This project was important before the flood, it is even more important now as our local economy revives. Part of that is good transport infrastructure and additional industrial land. This delivers all of these things,” she said.

Works included the construction of the Oliver Avenue link, including a new bridge over Tucki Tucki Creek, a new roundabout at the Oliver Ave/Holland St/Taylor Ave intersection, modification/upgrades to the existing roundabout at Bruxner/Holland St to facilitate B-double movements, construction of a new public carpark at Hepburn Park and earthworks to Council-owned land at 260 Oliver Ave to facilitate additional industrial lots.

Council secured $11 million from the New South Wales Government, $2 million from the Australian Government, and contributed $1.17 million for the project.

Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan said the multi-million-dollar project would continue to open doors for the region and unlock further growth potential of the Industrial Precinct.

“This project will open up additional industrial lots on flood-free land, create better access to the estate, especially for heavy vehicles, and deliver a precinct that ensures local jobs stay in our towns,” he said.

“As the Northern Rivers continues to grow, it is important we have the infrastructure to support businesses who want to operate from our region.”