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News>CEO presentation: ‘Securing Cardinia’s future’
| Media release: 14 September 2009 | |
Cardinia Shire’s record growth was the focus of Council Chief Executive Officer Garry McQuillan’s annual presentation to the local business community on Thursday 10 September.
A total of 240 people, mainly business operators from Pakenham and around Cardinia Shire, attended the event, held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
Titled ‘Securing Cardinia’s future’, Mr McQuillan’s address focused on what Council was doing to nurture and promote business growth in the Shire, both in the major towns and in rural and agricultural areas.
Mr McQuillan said the past two years had seen unprecedented population increase, economic activity and development, especially in the growth corridor area of Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Officer, where more than four families are moving each day.
“We are currently in the midst of the most exciting period of development in Cardinia Shire’s history and we are starting to see the fruits of our work being delivered,” Mr McQuillan said.
Mr McQuillan said Council was working with the business community to encourage residents to shop in their local area and to attract people from outside the municipality to shop in Pakenham and other Cardinia Shire towns.
“The record growth has underpinned the local economy, particularly in the construction industry. We know many families and some businesses have been doing it tough, but we are well positioned compared to other areas,” he said.
“Planning for the Cardinia Road Employment Precinct is almost complete and we hope we will have Ministerial approval for out structure plan work by the end of the year,” Mr McQuillan said.
“The employment precinct really is the jewel in the crown of our efforts to secure Cardinia’s economic prosperity. The whole employment corridor is expected to eventually provide jobs for up to 50,000 people. Most importantly it will create a greater range of jobs and a stronger local economy. It will also help to reduce the number of people who currently have to leave the Shire for work every day.”
Over the next two years, a number of major retailers will be establishing a presence with new retail developments progressing in Cardinia Road and Officer.
The VicUrban residential area in Officer, which will be ‘climate positive’, is an example of innovative planning to cope with environmental change, Mr McQuillan said.
“In regional areas of the shire, Council is working to support farming, home business, manufacturing and tourism. New bridges constructed in Manks Road, Dalmore, to improve transport links for asparagus farmers were among a number of initiatives recently completed or currently underway. Council’s successful campaign to ensure power supply for the Wonthaggi desalination project went underground was another highlight in this area,” Mr McQuillan said.
Work is under way in partnership with South East Water to further investigate the Casey-Cardinia region’s potential as a major provider of Melbourne’s future food supply.
During his presentation, Mr McQuillan announced that Council had committed to taking on extra trainees under the new Australian School Based Apprenticeship program.
Council is working with South East Local Learning and Employment Network on this initiative. Mr McQuillan encouraged local businesses to take on an apprentice.
Mr McQuillan’s presentation also covered:
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 | Development plans in Pakenham’s central business district that will help consolidate the town as a major regional centre, including the construction of a new library and public hall and the Woolworths retail development in John Street. | | Council’s advocacy work in areas such as transport and education, including lobbying for a Koo Wee Rup bypass, new and upgraded railway stations, improved bus services and expanded training and learning opportunities. | | Planning to improve car parking in Pakenham through strategic purchases of land. Temporary car parking facilities have also been established in Henry Street and Cook Place as part of preparations for the Woolworths retail development.
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| Mayor Cr Bill Pearson launched the new economic profile of Cardinia Shire, providing a snapshot of the key drivers of business growth.
“The economic profile aims to assist businesses to make informed decisions and will also help business operators prepare submissions and grant applications,” Cr Pearson said.
The profile’s themes include Cardinia Shire’s geography, resident profile and population projections, industry structure and infrastructure. The profile can be found in the Business in Cardinia section of this website.
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