Gippsland › Latest news › East Gippsland Local News
Special Charge Scheme to raise $400,000 for South Bairnsdale Industrial Estate to unlock investment in East Gippsland
East Gippsland Shire Council has declared a Special Charge Scheme to help fund an upgrade to the water supply at the South Bairnsdale Industrial Estate and allow the precinct to reach its full potential.
The Special Charge Scheme, which was declared at last Thursday's Unscheduled Council Meeting, will raise $400,000 to fund part of the project to ensure the volume, pressure and flow of water to the estate meet firefighting standards. The upgrade will make it cheaper and easier to set up a compliant business in large buildings on the estate.
Council's Fire Hazard Inspection Program aims to reduce bushfire risk to the community, reduce fire spread and intensity in the event of a bushfire and fulfil relevant legislative obligations
Supporting landholders
Mayor Cr Mark Reeves welcomed the decision of council and support of landholders in finalising this part of the funding for the project. "This Special Charge Scheme is positive news for local businesses and investors. The upgrades it will fund increases the viability of establishing businesses that require large floor space on the estate and is projected to create as many as 178 local jobs," Cr Reeves said.
Cr Reeves said Council had also previously received representations from existing and potential developers advocating the need for a suitable fire protection solution for the estate to assist in unlocking investment into new and expanding businesses.
Special charge contributions
Currently, anyone wanting to construct a building over 500m2 of floor space within the estate is required, at their own cost, to install a private firefighting service. These costs are estimated to be between $50,000 and $150,000 each.
"Contributing via the special charge and leveraging off significant government and Council funding contributions, this outcome makes sense now and into the future in terms of safety, compliance, investment and bang for buck," Cr Reeves said.
Properties smaller than 1,000 m2 or properties where there is already a building with a greater than 500 m2 floor area and where a fire system has been installed (compliant with the building code and Australian fire-fighting standards) will be exempt from the special charge.
Project funding
In addition to the scheme, the $2.4 million project is co-funded by:
- East Gippsland Water: $1.1 million
- Regional Development Victoria (Victorian Government): $500,000
- East Gippsland Shire Council: $400,000
The estate is currently made up of 173 rateable properties and owners were formally consulted on the scheme in September.
Pictures from East Gippsland Shire Council website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Darren Chester promotes Mobile Service Centres that offer essential government services like Centrelink and Medicare across Gippsland
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Gippsland Water adds customer care pop-ups for in-person payment support in Sale, Drouin, Warragul for July and Moe in August 2024
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Latrobe River Bridge at Tyers had completion delayed to August 2024 frustrating residents with safety concerns
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Baw Baw Shire attends 2024 Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra advocating peri urban areas
Enjoy free chicken parma while listening to inspiring story of Warren Davies South Gippsland Farmer on 22 July 2024 at Mirboo North Hotel
Join Latrobe City Council and Planet Ark for National Tree Day 2024 at W H Burrage Reserve in Newborough on 28 July 2024
Latrobe City Council requests Planning Panel for Amendment C144 for Traralgon West Precinct on 9 September 2024
Latrobe Valley clubs excelled at 2024 Community Clubs Victoria awards with Morwell and Moe clubs earning top honours
Warragul Leisure Centre $11M expansion of community sports facilities opens 28 July 2024