A manufacturing industry renaissance in the Manning would create hundreds of local jobs and stimulate our economy.
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That’s the vision of managing director of Newcastle based company Machine Shop and Engineering Services Bob McCrimmon.
Mr McCrimmon, the owner of the former UGL site on Lansdowne Road, held discussions with key industry and political representatives about the future of manufacturing in the Manning last month.
Speaking about the proposed Northern Gateway Transport Hub at Cundletown and an advanced manufacturing skills centre at the former UGL site, Mr McCrimmon said the projects would “reinvigorate manufacturing” in the area.
“Let’s create some local jobs, let’s create some local opportunities that will continue growth in the area,” Mr McCrimmon said.
The former UGL site has been in Mr McCrimmon’s possession for about three years.
The site was briefly rented during this time but has virtually sat empty.
Mr McCrimmon said the site contains “irreplaceable infrastructure” that would be ideal for any form of manufacturing.
“If I was to give you this vacant block of land for free with no buildings and improvements on it- it would cost you $50 to $70 million to replace the infrastructure.
“In today’s economic market, if you were to spend that money you would never get a return on that investment.
It would mean you would need $5 to $7 million a year on rent and whatever business you put here would end up broke.
“I bought this infrastructure solely to protect it for the future of manufacturing in Australia.
“We have protected the infrastructure in its entirety to make sure that if someone has a big picture in mind they can come here,” Mr McCrimmon said.
Mr McCrimmon predicted 300 people would be on site at the skills centre in a training or manufacturing capacity.
From this, indirect jobs would be created.
“We would have a cafe here that would serve everyone on site.
“We will have Jim Pearson Transport trucks deliver supplies and take products away.
“Local shops will benefit from selling the items.
“There’s a lot of aspects of this site that would grow and give a flow on effect to the local economy,” Mr McCrimmon said.
