Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges Councils have partnered to safeguard and expand the economic importance of Bayswater Business Precinct (BBP), ensuring its continued growth as an economic powerhouse in the eastern suburbs.
The Bayswater Business Precinct (BBP) is a unique industrial precinct that crosses the municipal boundaries of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges council areas and is the second largest employment precinct in the Eastern Metropolitan Region. It incorporates areas of the suburbs of Bayswater, Bayswater North, Kilsyth, Kilsyth South and Montrose.
It is home to a strong ecosystem of well-connected industries with robust local supply chains. The businesses in the precinct are diverse and include small to medium sized family businesses as well as multinationals.
To continue this good work, the BBP Transformation Strategy was recently endorsed by all three Councils to attract key investment, grow jobs, and improve infrastructure in the area over the next 10 years.
“A key foundation of this strategy is the commitment to collaboration between our three councils,” said Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child.
“With this Strategy in place, we will be working together to transform this vital economic asset into a dynamic, future-focused precinct committed to creating high-value employment opportunities, robust local supply chains, business diversification and strategic investment attraction.
“The Bayswater Business Precinct holds unparalleled opportunities for manufacturing and commercial businesses in Greater Melbourne,” said Cr Child.
Maroondah Mayor, Cr Rob Steane OAM said that it was important to meet challenges arising from population growth and global economic and industrial transition.
“BBP is home to more than 5,000 businesses and employs over 30,000 people, with over 70 per cent of workers within the BBP living in one of the three municipalities. We want to ensure that the precinct can attract the new investment required to grow the number of employment opportunities and maintain the region’s economic prosperity into the future,” he said.
“The Strategy will help guide our ongoing advocacy for the region including transport upgrades to manage freight and congestion, updating the amenity of the precinct and collectively developing urban planning directions,” said Cr Steane.
Knox Mayor, Cr Marcia Timmers-Leitch said a coordinated strategy was needed to boost jobs and investment in this regionally significant industrial precinct.
“We have a joint council team to attract investment to the precinct and support businesses in accessing the services they need from government and private sector programs. This team can help solve complex issues and challenges for business owners and help them connect with agencies, regulators and professional services.”
The three councils are developing a plan to review land use planning, transport and connectivity, to identify opportunities to improve freight access, cycling and walking paths.
To learn more about the Bayswater Business Precinct or to view the Strategy visit bbpconnect.com.au
You can also contact Bayswater Business Precinct Coordinator, Amy Harris, on 0409484218 or email hello@bbpconnect.com.au
