TRANSlink Launceston Airport: New 59ha subdivision, rail planned

A manufacturer and an agribusiness have both revealed plans to move into a bustling 350ha Tasmanian industrial precinct home to 100 businesses. The site may eventually link to rail and gas. DETAILS >

TRANSlink Industrial Precinct at Western Junction, adjacent to Launceston Airport, is home to approximately 100 businesses employing 1254 Tasmanians. Picture: Northern Midlands Business Association

What began in the 1980s as a “small nucleus of low-key business developments” near a northern Tasmanian airport is now a powerhouse precinct featuring approximately 100 firms, with two more announcing their plans to move in.

Scottsdale shed manufacturer Bison Constructions Pty Ltd and Launceston wool broker Wool Solutions have both lodged plans with Northern Midlands Council to open facilities at Western Junction’s 350ha TRANSlink Industrial Precinct adjacent to Launceston Airport.

Bison’s application is to construct a $2 million manufacturing facility at TRANSlink that would have an estimated 15 employees on-site, while Wool Solutions wish to build a $3.5 million wool storage, packaging and distribution warehouse.

Wool Solutions Tasmania's Rob Calvert, who owns the wool agribusiness with his brother and co-director Alistair. Picture: Wool Solutions

Both businesses would be located within a new 59ha subdivision on vacant land that the council is in the process of developing.

TRANSlink is already home to more than 100 businesses, including major players SRT Logistics, Statewide independent Wholesalers, Crisp Bros. & Haywards, TasFreight, and Vos Constructions. An estimated 1254 employees work at the precinct.

Northern Midlands Mayor Mary Knowles said that the new subdivision, when fully filled, would create an additional estimated 490 jobs.

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She said the precinct had grown from “a small nucleus of low-key business developments in the 1980s” to a thriving light-industrial estate today.

Parallel to the new 59ha subdivision is a federal government-supported plan to deliver TRANSlink’s Intermodal Project, which would see construction of a rail spur to the precinct and, installation of an 8km natural gas pipeline from Youngtown.

At last year’s federal election, the Labor government committed $5m to begin planning on the project, with a further $30m committed for enabling infrastructure.

Mayor Mary Knowles, Northern Midlands Council. Picture: File

“Council is using this funding to prepare a detailed feasibility study and business case, negotiate agreements with other major stakeholders including the federal and state governments, property owners, TasRail, and Launceston Airport,” Ms Knowles said.

Ms Knowles said the new development would ensure the continued viability of existing precinct businesses and generate an extra $33.6m of economic activity in the north through the more efficient movement of freight and improved market access for high-end and perishable goods.

TRANSlink Industrial Precinct at Western Junction, adjacent to Launceston Airport, is home to approximately 100 businesses employing 1254 Tasmanians. Picture: Northern Midlands Business Association

“The precinct has many competitive advantages for businesses including proximity to major transport systems – road, air and sea – extensive flat development sites separated from residential areas, quality infrastructure, and a user-friendly planning scheme that fast tracks development,” she said.

A Department of State Growth spokesman said there remained addition opportunities for TRANSlink to enmesh itself even further with the neighbouring airport.

“Launceston Airport has significant landside areas available for business development, as well as potential opportunities for airside development,” he said.