Jobs flow into region as Liverpool mayor says we’re open for business
DEMAND for industrial land in Liverpool is higher than ever, with $6.5 billion worth of development projects moving into the region over the next decade.
Liverpool
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DEMAND for industrial land in Liverpool is higher than ever, with $6.5 billion worth of development projects moving into the region over the next decade.
The city’s wealth of prime industrial land has seen big businesses such as Caterpillar dealer WesTrac and air conditioning manufacturing company Daikin sign on to establish bases in the heart of the southwest in recent months.
The strong demand means Liverpool has also become a hub of job creation and employment opportunities — with small businesses already gearing up for the unprecedented growth.
A recent survey by Liverpool Council shows one in five businesses is looking to hire, with a total of 192 positions created among 35 companies.
About a third of businesses had hired in the past year, creating 284 jobs.
The survey, which canvassed 160 local firms, also showed more than half were expanding.
Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller was pleased to see the confidence in the local business community.
“Job creation in Liverpool needs to keep pace with the population growth, even outmatch it, so our residents don’t need to leave Liverpool for work,” Cr Waller said.
“Liverpool is definitely open for business.”
Last month, an official sod-turning at Crossroads Logistics Centre in Casula marked the start of construction of WesTrac’s purpose-built facility at the AMP Capital-owned site, where they will join Electrolux and Consentino.
Cr Waller said together, the three businesses represented 460 new jobs for Liverpool: Consentino will bring 40 jobs to the region along with 75 construction jobs, WesTrac will bring a further 120 jobs with 45 jobs during the construction period, and Electrolux is set to bring 180 jobs.
Liverpool is increasingly considered a centralised location for businesses small and large, with easy access to the M5 and M7 motorways and the anticipated economic boost from the western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek.
“There is a higher demand than ever for industrial land in Liverpool, thanks to our great road and rail connections and the promise of close proximity to the new airport,” Cr Waller said.
The company behind the airport, WSA Co, is set to open its head office in Scott St in the Liverpool CBD by the end of the year — another boost for the economy.
Up to 11,000 jobs will be created during the construction period for the airport, which is expected to deliver 28,000 jobs by 2031.
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce president George Germanos said the confidence in the local economy was clear.
“We’ve had a lot of strong development off the back of some big construction projects, like western Sydney airport, the universities, the $140 million Inglis hotel and thoroughbred sales development at Warwick Farm and a few other projects,” Mr Germanos said.
“A lot of businesses in Liverpool are gaining confidence and we can see that on the ground, but it’s really good to hear that reflected through this survey.”
MAKING A MOVE TO TAP INTO GROWTH
BIG and small businesses alike are recognising Liverpool’s potential and its strong economic outlook.
With plenty of development on the horizon, companies are making the move to the region.
Recruitment and labour hire services company Anderson Recruitment and Training did just that, relocating to Liverpool last December.
Directors and rugby league greats Chris Anderson and Kevin Moore said they chose Liverpool because it was “fast becoming the hub of western Sydney”.
“We can see Liverpool is a community on the move, and we want to contribute to it,” the men said in a joint statement.
“It has a strong and thriving economy, it will be home to Sydney’s second airport, new universities, along with the Intermodal — not to mention the area has highly skilled employees that want to work local in the area.”
The company has a diverse client base including blue chip organisations and local businesses.
In the past 12 months, it has grown from four internal employees to 15 — and the company is forecasting continued growth over the next 24 months.
With the Federal Government’s $75 billion commitment to national infrastructure projects over the next 10 years, Mr Anderson and Mr Moore said a prolonged period of growth was likely in the rail, building and construction, warehouse, transport and commercial sectors.
The directors, who have played and coached in the NRL, said the Liverpool area was undergoing economic growth with key infrastructure projects on the horizon.
The western Sydney airport was “an opportunity for Liverpool to showcase its capability to become a leading commercial centre”, they said.
“(We) foresee a rise in local jobs from the initial construction all the way through to the airport becoming operational.”
To support local businesses in this time of growth, they said, it was important to provide companies with a highly skilled and motivated workforce and continued investment in staff.
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