The Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is going from strength-to-strength with five new tenants bringing more than 150 new jobs to the precinct – cementing BWEZ as an engine room for growth in regional Victoria.

Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the BWEZ headquarters of Office Vision, which is expanding its operations to the manufacturing hub.

Office Vision is a family owned and operated business that specialise in fitting out office spaces. Its expansion into Ballarat will provide a large showroom space for clients, creating 10 new full-time jobs.

Civil infrastructure contractors Sovereign Civil will also join BWEZ as well as steel aluminium manufacturer Chris’s Body Builders and agriculture machinery specialists Cervus and Michael’s Group.

BWEZ is a $30 million joint initiative between the Victorian Government and the City of Ballarat to support the region’s economic growth over the next 20 years. BWEZ is being delivered by Development Victoria on behalf of Regional Development Victoria.

Once established, the new tenancies will create 152 new jobs for Ballarat, contributing to more than 450 jobs across a range of businesses through Stages 1 and 1B at BWEZ.

The new tenants will join laboratory equipment manufacturer Westlab, Findlay Engineering, Milestone Benchtops and freight company Kane Transport on site.

Victorian producer Luv-a-Duck has also set up at BWEZ, working from a recently-completed state-of-the-art facility. Luv-a-Duck has invested $20 million in its Ballarat operations with 30 workers producing retail-ready duck meat products including flavoured pre-roasted cuts in addition to the company’s operations in Nhill.

The precinct delivers 400 hectares of industrial land to attract large-scale businesses to Ballarat, which will build on the region’s existing strengths and help boost the local economy.

It has been designed to enhance business productivity, with an intermodal freight hub on site, access for high productivity freight vehicles, top quality infrastructure and access to the adjoining Ballarat airport.

For more information visit development.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas

“The Ballarat West Employment Zone is living up to its promise to be an engine room for growth over the next 20 years, backed by strong government support.”

“BWEZ is vital to the growth of manufacturing jobs in Ballarat – jobs that can sustain generations of workers – and the benefits flow across the region.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Julianna Addison

“Ballarat is home to some of Victoria’s best and most innovative manufacturers and we’re proud to welcome these new businesses who are creating jobs.”

“These successful manufacturing businesses are investing in Ballarat because it is great place to do business with our skilled workforce and geographical location.”