The Inland Rail and the Parkes National Logistics Hub are once-in-a-lifetime projects that will drive massive regional economic development and change.
Last week the RDA Central West Board were hosted by Parkes Council on a guided bus tour of the impressive National Logistics Hub site, where large machinery and significant earthworks have begun turning hundreds of hectares into what will be Australia’s most important inland freight and logistics hub.
Parkes Council deserve considerable praise for the years and years of hard work, visionary planning and lobbying that has got them to this point. These things do not happen over-night!
Over a decade ago, Parkes recognised that its unique central location at the crossroads of the nation’s North/South Newell Highway and the East/West transcontinental rail line, put 80% of Australia’s population within reach overnight. Then came the game changer – the $10 billion Inland Rail connecting Brisbane to Melbourne that will intersect with the EW rail line in just one place – Parkes.
This month the NSW Government recognised the site as regional NSW’s first “Special Activation Precinct”. A Special Activation Precinct is a dedicated area in a regional location that has been identified to become a thriving business hub. As the NSW Government says, the Parkes Special Activation Precinct will create regional jobs, support the growth of the freight and logistics industry, enable agricultural value-adding and bring regional suppliers closer to their markets. It will increase the prosperity of Parkes, the Central West region and the state by catalysing more and better investment and employment opportunities for people in the region.
Find more information at the Parkes National Logistics Hub website.
Businesses interested in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct should contact Ian Smith Director, NSW Office of Regional Economic Development p: +61 1300 679 673 e: info@investregional.nsw.gov.au
Get your tickets for the CWFA 2019 Women and Youth in Agriculture Conference!
I am so looking forward to this year’s Central West Farming Systems Conference on Wed 27 March at the Condobolin Agricultural Research Station. Guest Speakers this year include the fabulous and inspirational comedian Fiona O’Loughlin, and The Hon Sussan Ley MP, Federal Member for Farrer.
I can’t recommend this fantastic regional conference more highly for its inspirational speakers and valuable (and fun) networking. And I am always looking for a good excuse to head out to Condo. Tickets are only $25 for CWFS members and $35 for non-members for the full day event. Get your tickets quickly at https://www.trybooking.com/ BASPW or call Diana Fear at CWFS for more information on 0427 897 530. See you there!
(PS – blokes are very welcome too!)