Moduline factory Ingham: Developers share details about high-tech proposal
The developers behind a proposed new factory in the Ingham CBD have revealed key new details about the high-tech project. VOTE IN OUR POLL>>
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The developers behind a “transformative” proposed new factory in the Ingham CBD have broken their silence about the high-tech project, including plans to create new jobs and use Hinchinbrook companies and local labour during the construction phase.
The multi-million dollar project, encompassing almost 10,000sqm of land between Herbert Street, the Bruce Highway, and Lynn St, has generated significant online debate.
According to Moduline, the site at 85 Herbert Street will include a 4,400sqm “state-of-the-art manufacturing facility” and 550sqm of modern office space and a retail showroom.
Moduline director Mark Gusmeroli said the expansion underscored its “long-term commitment to Ingham.”
“By continuing to remain a part of the Ingham community, our family business maintains relationships with valued staff members and offers opportunities for current employees to upskill, increases future employment opportunities within the local community and supports North Queensland’s design and construction industry,” he said.
“Moduline is excited by the opportunity to renew the energy in the Ingham town centre by offering an enhanced retail experience, which will attract customers from the district and beyond creating a knock-on effect for other local business.”
The Gusmeroli family own a number of business assets in Ingham, including the existing Moduline factory next to Woolworths, Ingham Manufactures Mitre 10 and extensive commercial land holdings.
Mr Gusmeroli said Moduline’s goal was to retain its 65 staff “and grow that number by approximately 20 per cent over the next 5 years”, saying its staff was its “greatest asset”.
“Their commitment and dedication to our overall success is central to our decision-making process,” he said.
“That is why our ultimate goal is to remain in Ingham where the majority of our workforce are.”
Mr Gusmeroli addressed criticisms about the relocation of four existing businesses on the proposed new factory site on its own land, saying three of the four had found alternative sites and would be able to move within the requested time frame.
He also rejected suggestions of a lack of consultation with residents of Lynne St.
“Social-media speculation that all four of these businesses would be forced to close is erroneous,” he said.
“The relocation of the sheds and demolition on this site is planned to commence in May.”
He said that given the recent flooding disaster, “every tenant that has requested an extension of time has had that granted”.
“A builder and early works contractors have been engaged and are on standby to commence as and when required, all of whom are local to Ingham.”
Moduline, which has lodged a development application with the Hinchinbrook Shire, said the “transformative facility” was a “significant step forward for the Ingham community”.
“The development aligns with key planning strategies set by the Hinchinbrook Shire Council and the State Government.”
Lead designers Cottee Parker Architects said the facility would be a “welcome addition to Herbert Street”.
Managing director and lead architect Matthew Caswell said the showroom was the “hero in the design and will activate Herbert Street with a welcoming interface.”
“This development is a key step in shaping Ingham’s CBD, bringing modern architecture and economic vitality to Ingham.”
Town planner Stephen Motti said the facility would “deliver an advanced, contemporary manufacturing and office space allowing renewal and activation in the city centre”.
“It will not only retain and create jobs but maintain and develop skills, capacity and local supply lines.” Pending public consultation and council approval, construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2025.
Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo addressed concerns that the potential project was potentially better suited on the Ingham Industrial Estate on Challands St south of the main township.
He confirmed that “all the free-hold land and developable land is under private ownership” but that there remained undeveloped land owned by the state government.
“I’ve been trying to unlock those lands from the state government since 2017 and while we do have an agreement in place with the state government that will enable us to acquire that land, that agreement entails that we must either extinguish native title or come to an arrangement with the native title holders,” he said.
“But the short and long of it is that we have not been able to negotiate with them, we have not been able to get them to the table to negotiate.”
Major facelift: Concept photos show new development scope
According to a planning application document submitted to council, the factory comprises an automated Storage and panel-processing line (1384sqm, machine shop (525sqm), benchtop production (375sqm), warehouse (596sqm) and a cabinet assembly fitout-dispatch (1516sqm).
In addition, the proposed office and display area will be located to the south of the main building and comprises an area of 350sqm, the document says.
The application is yet to be considered by the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, nor discussed or voted on by the elected councillors but has already garnered significant online discussion.
The factory, if approved, would be built on land owned by the Gusmeroli family who own Moduline and Ingham Manufactures Mitre 10.
The family and council have previously stated that it was too early to comment on the proposal.
The current businesses impacted businesses on the proposed site are: Lifeline, Significant Signs, Guardian Pharmacy, Moduline Warehouse and the Salvation Army.
Only Significant Signs owner Neale Brown has spoken out against the development.
In Mr Brown’s most recent online post, Nutrient Harcourt Ingham business owner Nathan Henderson said the proposed new build was “not out of place in my opinion”.
In a post liked more than 60 times in an online Ingham discussion group, the real-estate agent said the proposed factory would neighbour existing businesses that included two mechanics, a tyre shop, a service station, a large retail building, the national highway and a railway line, with the Mitre 10 and current Moduline showrooms directly opposite.
He said the location currently was “not really a well utilised site anymore considering the size”.
Mr Henderson said it took “planning and courage” to take a punt on developing a major project.
“Think of all the businesses who have left town,” he said on Wednesday morning.
“It would be so easy for a large corporate to disregard the jobs of all their loyal local staff and shift the whole project to Townsville or Cairns.”
He said it would only take a “few phone calls” to find a suitable new site outside of the town.
“If that happened, all the comments would be directed at that and town would be much worse for it,” he said.
“But here we are with a family investing in their people and their town.”
According to the application to the council, Moduline says the pan “recognises the strengths and opportunities of the region and aims to determine how land use and infrastructure planning can best support economic growth and population change over the next 25 years and beyond”.
“It has as its aims to strengthen and enable: Established industries and the already-diverse regional economy; new local jobs in established and emerging industries; and more efficient patterns of development.”
It says the proposed development aligns with the provisions prescribed by the Planning Scheme, State Planning Policy and the North Queensland Regional Plan.
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Originally published as Moduline factory Ingham: Developers share details about high-tech proposal
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