WestConnex pushes businesses out of the way in Kingsgrove, forcing one to move further west

ONE year since dubbing Kingsgrove the “new Alexandria”, one business has had to move out of the largely industrial suburb to make way for the new M5 tunnels.

32 Hundred Lighting director Iain Reed. Photographer: Adam Yip

ONE year since dubbing Kingsgrove the “new Alexandria”, one business has had to move out of the largely industrial suburb to make way for the new M5 tunnels.

32 Hundred Lighting was one of two Kingsgrove businesses on Commercial Rd acquired by the Sydney Motorway Corporation in April to construct the new tunnels for the WestConnex project. An industrial property on Garema Circuit was also acquired.

The compulsory acquisition has forced 32 Hundred Lighting to relocate further west to Milperra.

Managing director Iain Reed previously said Kingsgrove was an affordable and convenient industrial hub that was close to the Sydney CBD.

“Being a bit further out, the Fairford Rd traffic jam has affected the way we’ve done our business. We’ve had to restructure quite heavily,” managing director Iain Reed said.

“It has put us further out of reach of our main body of work but we’re just looking at ways to manage that.”

Traffic on the M5 eastbound. Picture: John Grainger

The company has moved further west in the 30 years it has been operating due to decreasing availability of commercial real estate in the inner city and fringe suburbs.

With most of its business based in the city, the company’s overheads are climbing with trucks of equipment spending more time on the M5 and increased toll and fuel expenses.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Mr Reed is keeping a positive attitude. “Basically that’s the way of life and you just accept it and try to treat it as a positive change.”

A Sydney Motorway Corporation spokeswoman said compensation was provided under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.

“The New M5 tunnel western exit/entry point is located at Roads and Maritime-owned land adjacent to Kingsgrove industrial site, reducing impact on residential areas,” she said.