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Forum Home > Better Future Forum > Question 3 > The Question

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The Question
Concentrated industrial hubs and/or industrial clusters can allow business to grow while minimising the impact on the environment. Should this, for example at Lawson, be a priority strategic action for the region?

28/07/2008 14:38

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johncozzi
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Clusters are really less about the environental impact as they are about bringing enterprises which collectively can deliver more to the market and to themselves than might otherwise be possible. it encourages best practice as usually as in th examples cited yesterday they become peer managed and run and everyone is only as good as poorest amongst you.

If we want to maintian our unique environment and low population growth then clusters do represent an excellent way to leverage limited resources.

I am not certain LAwson is the ideal location but it certainly has some advantages and as a quickstart opportunity it makes sense.

30/07/2008 12:12

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MichaelParker
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I think the Lawson and Springwood Industrial estates highlight the current problem. If you look at them they really have not reached a critical mass.

In Springwood for example one large factory building has been turned into a Church and another has been a club for some time. In Lawson one unit was an indoor cricket centre. I am not seeing the need for “industrial” areas as we move into the “information” age. Look at Blaxland, a new complex with most still unoccupied. One is a locksmith not exactly an industrial use. In fact a fair number of new factory units are actually used as low cost office space.

Lawson does not have a bank, the idea of trying to generate a business hub at a location without a bank just shows that there is not the critical mass.

I think the idea of contacting all businesses in the Blue Mountains and seeing what facilities they require if they grow is needed before making any priority strategic action for the region.

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Michael Parker

1/08/2008 08:13

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Rossco
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Michael Parker talks here about the lack of a critical mass in Lawson Industrial Estate.

There have been 18 new factory units (140m2 + each) constructed in the past 2 years, most now leased or sold.

Another 30 or so will be built in the next 2 years.

The reason for a lack of ongoing development is the significant barriers the Council puts in the way of developers, and the huge backlog of missing infrastructure.

The Industrial Estate is zoned 'Employment General', which allows for Offices, Factories, wholesalers etc...anywhere that employs people.

My office is in the LIE, as is the offices of Skills Publishing, as is the development centre for Flight Simulators Asia Pacific (www.fsap.com.au).

The need for industrial units is fading, but the need for office space is growing and is largely not catered for.

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Ross Coster
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Chamber of Commerce and Industry Lawson

13/08/2008 16:31

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MichaelPaag
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Lawson Industrial Estate needs a massive investment in infrastructure to make it a competitive alternative to some of the other industrial parks in other outer areas such as the Central Coast. The Blue Mountains is the best place to bring up a family. The lifesytle benefits are huge. Attracting the right skilled workforce is not the problem. Unlike the Central Coast and other areas our politicians do not have the leadership and forsight needed to help the Lawson Industrial Estate reach its full potential. It is possible to attract businesses that fit our fragile environment. The State and Federal Governments need to invest in local jobs and I beleive Lawson Industrial Estate is a key part of such investment.

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Michael Paag

27/08/2008 17:34

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