An unparallelled location is the unique drawcard for the newly-launched Muchea Industrial Park in the Shire of Chittering. Planning for the 1,150ha land development, which is strategically located at the intersection of the Brand Highway, Great Northern Highway and the new NorthLink – Tonkin Highway extension, has been finalised this month and an official launch of the Investment Prospectus took place on 8 February at Nesci Estate Wine Farm.
Federal Member for Pearce, Christian Porter was present to cut the official ribbon, declaring the Muchea Industrial Park (MIP) open for business, saying the significance of the new industrial land site could not be understated. “This key industrial development will drive economic growth in the area, encourage job creation, increase connectivity and make the region a more attractive place to work and live,” Mr Porter said.
“I am proud to have assisted the Shire of Chittering in securing funding under the Building Better Regions Fund for this important project and am excited to see it progress.”
Along with it’s prime location linking the entire north of the state directly to the city of Perth, the Port of Fremantle and Perth Airport, the MIP is also very affordable for potential industry, with land parcels expected to sell for around the $200 per square meter price point – considerably less than the average price of Perth industrial land at $275-$425 pm2.
But does Perth really need more industrial land? Apparently yes. Road Freight operators and large-scale processing and manufacturing businesses have been quick to look north to expand their enterprises – and they are looking for larger, less expensive and unencumbered sites. Agriculture-related processing and storage operations are also expected to find the MIP an attractive prospect, with the massive food production area of the Northern Valleys region on their doorstep and direct access to agricutural regions further north.
“Industry is already responding to the Muchea Industrial Park,” said Strategic Project Manager Lisa Edwards at the launch, “Harvis Property Group is investing $48 million developing industrial land known as ‘Northern Gateway’ and BP Australia are proposing a $15 million truck stop at the site which is due to be built by mid-2019.”
The site presently hosts key tenants including Ingham’s Chicken Farms, Muchea Livestock Sale Facility, Australian Modular Systems and Road Trains Australia.
“We see the Muchea Industrial Park becoming a significant and strategic industrial location for a vast range of users, all within an hour of Fremantle Port and the Perth International airport,” said Michael Parkinson, General Manager, Ingham Property Group.
Managing Director of Main Roads WA, Peter Woronzow also spoke at the Prospectus launch, welcoming completion of the Northlink – Tonkin Hwy extension as a game-changer for transport in WA.
“We’re building the equivalent of the Mitchel Freeway here!” he said. “Completion of Northlink project will see a saving of 10 minutes between Muchea and Kewdale. The project also eliminates 16 sets of traffic lights and avoids 21 sets of speed changes. It’s a watershed moment in transport in WA.” It is estimated that once Northlink is completed it will take just 30mins from the MIP to Perth airport, 39mins to Perth CBD and 60 mins to Fremantle Port.
The much anticipated Bindoon Bypass will be the final piece in the puzzle – enabling travel direct from Wubin to Muchea on upgraded roads. Most notabley for the transport industry, this carriageway will enable triple road trains to travel all the way to Muchea, uncoupling in the MIP zone rather than at Wubin.
“We are very excited that triple road trains will be able to access the Muchea Industrial Park in the future giving us unfettered access to Northern WA,” said Paul Mullins, Road Trains Australia.
According to the Muchea Industrial Park Investment Prospectus, these significant industry developments have been projected to support a potential $1.3 Billion in economic activity by 2046 and 9500 jobs across the state. The proximity of an attractive semi-rural lifestyle and affordable land prices in the Shire of Chittering and neighbouring Ellenbrook has also been flagged as a bonus for industry in the MIP.
Employment opportunites and potential for growth of the region are staggering – big changes afoot for our region.
