Astute acquisition of land and timely releases of allotments has resulted in many new businesses establishing in the Shire. Council has developed two industrial estates. The Southern Cross Industrial Estate in Ballina is strategically located close to the Pacific Highway and the Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport. The Russellton Industrial Estate is located at Wollongbar just 10 minutes from the City of Lismore.
First established in 1987, to date Council has sold 95 allotments of various sizes in the Southern Cross Estate. A Development Approval is currently being prepared for the next release of allotments expected by October this year. Once again this release will provide opportunities for existing business to expand and new ventures to establish, injecting new capital and creating additional job opportunities in the Shire.
New ventures are also a catalyst for related industries to consider relocating to the Shire. This has been the case with a number of building related enterprises establishing in the Southern Cross Industrial Estate. Council has also provided infrastructure, such as fibre optic cable, as part of its Smart Estate strategy. This ensures businesses can make the most of rapidly expanding opportunities of hi-tech, as well as attracting new hi-tech operations into the area. Southern Cross is a desirable location particularly due to its close proximity to the airport and airfreight services.
Equidistant from the City of Lismore with its population of 42,000 residents and Ballina, some 200 industrial allotments have been sold at the Russellton Industrial Estate. Both of Ballina’s industrial estates offer new businesses cheaper set up costs than metropolitan areas and a quality lifestyle for employees.
