Goonellabah Industrial Estate $14.2 million Employment Lands Project unlocks flood-free land for Lismore businesses

The completion of a long-running project to expand a Lismore industrial estate means more options are available for businesses keen to avoid future flooding drama. Here’s the latest.

The Lismore Employment Lands project is now complete as of July 2023.

Flood-free land has been unlocked for Lismore businesses, marking the completion of a four-year $14.2 million project to expand Goonellabah Industrial Estate in Lismore.

The staged project to grow the Employment Lands precinct has been completed with funding from Lismore City Council and both the state and federal governments.

Work included the construction of the Oliver Ave link to the Bruxner Highway, including a new bridge over Tucki Tucki Creek.

Additionally, a new roundabout has been built at the Oliver Ave/Holland St/Taylor Ave intersection, and modification and upgrades have been finished to facilitate B-double truck movements on the existing roundabout at Bruxner/Holland St.

A new public carpark has also been constructed at Hepburn Park and earthworks were undertaken to create more industrial lots on council-owned land at 260 Oliver Ave.

The extension of Oliver Ave in Goonellabah as part of the joint local, state and federal Employment Lands project.

Abdul Aziz from Hans Electronic Services on the corner of Lancaster Drive and Oliver Ave said the project was “a really good idea” – and he was pleased to see work finishing.

“We don’t have to line up around the Chemist Warehouse if we want to go downtown or even into Lismore (anymore),” he said.

Mr Aziz said the business was pleased to no longer be based on flood-prone Magellan St in Lismore CBD.

“The only thing I am a bit worried about is how cars will be flying in here – only time will tell if we see a few accidents and whatnot,” he said.

In Home Computer Solutions’ Stephen Eggins said the extension of Oliver Ave as part of the project was something they “always knew could happen” when they bought their home on the road.

The $14.2 million Employment Lands project was staged over four years.

He said work was “pretty loud”.

“But other than that, we’re not too worried about it,” Mr Eggins said.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg flagged more local jobs as a result of the industrial precinct investment.

“It creates more flood-free land for local industry that will create more local jobs,” he said.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the project delivered improved transport infrastructure and additional industrial land for growth.

Lismore councillor Andrew Bing, Mayor Steve Krieg, Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Page MP Kevin Hogan, council general manager Jon Gibbons, and councillor Peter Colby.

“This project was important before the flood – it is even more important now as our local economy revives,” she said.

Page MP Kevin Hogan said the industrial estate was easier to access, especially by heavy vehicles, and he was also confident in a jobs boost.

The council secured $11 million from the New South Wales Government, $2 million from the Australian Government, and contributed $1.17 million for the project.