Lukin family’s $289m Port Lincoln development gets State Government nod, opening way for up to 280 jobs a year
THE Lukin family’s $289 million dollar Port Lincoln development has State Government approval, opening the way for up to 280 jobs a year during the next decade.
THE Lukin family’s $289 million dollar Port Lincoln development has State Government approval, opening the way for up to 280 jobs a year during the next decade.
The project includes a 300-500 block housing development in two residential areas on the 118ha site, as well as a major wharf revamp and an industrial precinct.
Work is expected to start within a year on upgrading the old BHP wharf to enable it to take Port Lincoln’s commercial fishing fleet and other vessels.
Lukin Corporation chief executive Dean Lukin Jr said it was the largest regional development in South Australia for many years.
“This is a strategic investment for the state, it offers jobs, opportunity and solutions in so many different areas,” he said.
“We’ve waited six years for this day so we are looking to be very proactive and to get the development under way as soon as feasible.”
Mr Lukin said he would be contact golf course designer Greg Norman to update him on the status.
Norman emerged as a favourite to design a proposed Great White Shark golf course in the development following a visit to the Lukin Corporation’s site last year.
Mr Lukin said the development was also of major significance because it involved Australia’s largest commercial fishing fleet.
Overall, the 20-year project envisages the housing development, industrial precinct, wharf, golf course, hotel and commercial centre at Proper Bay, on the southern edge of the Port Lincoln marina.
“We’ve focused on the housing development because we needed to get it through first, but at our next board meeting we will review all options for the golf course and the commercial development,” Mr Lukin said.
“It is a proud time for the family as it is also 30 years since (today — August 8) my father Dean Lukin won the superheavyweight gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games,” he said.
“I wish my grandfather Dinko Lukin was here to see it, he would be proud of what I’ve achieved because he was one of my biggest supporters and was a huge motivation for me.”
A key part of the development is a new Western Link Road to allow easy transport access from the refurbished wharf to Port Lincoln’s freezing facilities and fish factories, also creating a bypass taking heavy traffic away from the city
“The plan includes an extension of the Parnkalla Walking Trail, which goes all around Port Lincoln,” Mr Lukin said.
Deputy Premier John Rau said the rezoning would allow the investment of $289 million over 10 years towards the development.
“The project is expected to start in late 2014 and contribute 2800 jobs over the 10 year span and create 1530 ongoing jobs a year,” Mr Rau said.
The development is backed by the fishing industry, Port Lincoln Golf Club, Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula and Port Lincoln Marina developer Sam Sarin.