Works drive ahead at Ballarat West Employment Zone

12/08/2024

Three orange, green and silver BWEZ signs are visible from left to centre of the picture, with trees and a garden bed present behind them. To the right of the frame is a road with lamp posts and fields in the distance.

Works at the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) are forging ahead, with construction beginning on an extension to Liberator Drive.

Winslow Constructors have secured the contract to lead this next stage of the BWEZ development, which is being delivered by Development Victoria on behalf of Regional Development Victoria.

Once complete, the extended Liberator Drive will become the main access point between BWEZ and the Ballarat Airport for residents and businesses, ensuring the efficient movement of goods and bolstering Ballarat’s supply chain.

Winslow Constructors has a proven track record of delivery on the BWEZ development.

The company, which is also constructing civil works for the Stage 2 precinct, continues to exceed the Government’s Local Jobs First Policy targets to create opportunities for local businesses and workers, including apprentices and trainees.

It is anticipated that Winslow will bring this strong approach to the expansion of Liberator Drive, which is due for completion by the end of 2024.

The development of the Stage 2 precinct also continues, with manufacturer and supplier John Valves confirming its acquisition of two hectares of land within the precinct.

The company will bring 45 jobs into BWEZ and intends to be fully operational by early 2027.

John Valves will join McCallum Disability Services, Dahlsens Ballarat and other future tenants in Stage 2, as well as companies already located on site - including CHS Broadbent, Kane Transport, Luv-A-Duck, Westlab and Athlegen.

Sales-to-date and those underway at Stage 2 are predicted to bring the total number of ongoing jobs created at BWEZ to 1,200 and will generate $171 million in investment.

The Victorian Government announced the initial stages of BWEZ in 2015 as a $30 million joint initiative with the City of Ballarat to support economic growth over two decades.

Since then, the Victorian Government has invested another $14.4 million to support delivery of the Intermodal Freight Hub within the precinct. The Australian Government has also backed the freight hub, contributing $27.8 million. The Department of Transport and Planning is leading the delivery of this Intermodal Freight Hub.