Lockhart’s new industrial park was launched on Friday as the first developer signalled a $950,000 investment at the Reid Street site.
Contracts have been signed by developer Marty Reynders to build a 1,000 square metre facility for Delta Agribusiness comprising offices, showroom, warehouse, and a bulk storage facility.
Mr Reynder’s Murrumbateman based construction firm has built bridges and developed industrial facilities around the state.
Delta Agribusiness agronomist consultant Heidi Gooden said the firm who has branches at Young, Harden, Cowra, Temora and Coolamon had made the decision to operate from Lockhart 10 weeks ago.
“We are extremely proud to be the catalyst of the industrial park as far as the building is concerned,” she said.
“Lockhart is a proud community and to share in the development and progress of the town’s future is important.”
Staff at the new enterprise will include three agronomists Warwick Nightingale, David Bushell, and Ms Gooden, merchandise manager John Fox and the part time service of Shane Trotter who will assist in the grain marketing division and customer relations.
At the industrial park site, Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire met with the developers, retiring Lockhart mayor Bruce Day, General Manager Chris Gallagher, Engineering manager Alan Clark and president of the Industrial Park committee Greg Smith.
Mr Maguire called on the Lockhart community and businesses to encourage and promote their industrial park.
He gave an example of the Uranquinty Power Station million dollar project starting off as only two sentences in a report.
“The same can happen here if people actively put the question to industries and businesses associated with their own areas of employment.”
Mr Maguire said the project offered so much potential in job creation, and was going against the trend of many country towns that were in decline.
Leaving local government on a high note, retiring mayor Bruce Day said, “it’s happening, it’s positive, full marks to Delta Ag for showing confidence in the future of our shire.”
A subcommittee of the Lockhart Progress Association, the Industrial Park committee has been committed to the industrial park concept for a long time.
“It’s an exciting project and it’s good to see it come to fruition after such a lot of thought and planning has gone into the project so far,” Mr Smith said.
“Now that the industrial park has its first customer, Council and the Industrial park committee jointly can go out and actively market the park to other businesses.
“This is a good example of what can be achieved with the community and local government working in partnership,” he said.
Stage one of the industrial park has involved the construction of internal road works to service the first eight blocks and laser drainage.
“The road will be sealed and sewerage, water, power and fencing will be installed in the next two weeks,” Mr Clark said.
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