14/04/2000

Clean and green industries are expected to be on the agenda today at the Western Melbourne Opportunity Summit at the Victoria University at Sunshine.

With the theme 'Making the Difference' speakers including the Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, Editor in Chief of The Age, Steve Harris, and Dr Ian Gilmour, Vice President Australian Operations Huntsman Corporation will examine the direction of the western region of Melbourne over the next decade.

Executive Director of the Western Melbourne Regional Economic Development Organisation (WREDO), Ms Barbara McLure facilitating the Summit said that one of the outcomes planned for the Summit is the development of a task force to develop a hot list of preferred industry types for the region.

"With the 20,000 businesses in the region and an expected growth of 6.5% annually which would see three new businesses every day open in the region, there is a pressure to ensure an overall plan is in place."

Ms McLure said, "the traditional view of the west being only a heavy manufacturing area is changing with many new industries moving into the region."

“Many traditional industries also are upgrading their operations and the housing boom is changing the balance of the region placing an expectation of an improved environment in the west.”

There is a need for major environmental upgrading of gateways to the west such as Footscray Road and extensive tree planting is needed throughout the entire region as a health and economic strategy, Ms McLure said.

"Housing development such as the Urban Land Corporation’s The Range at Williamstown, Sanctuary Lakes at Point Cook and Caroline Springs by Delfin at Melton, combined with redevelopment has been a major catalyst for lifting the image of the west.”

Ms McLure said that with the opening of the Domain Tunnel the Western Region of Melbourne will become even more accessible and we expect continuing development pressure, however, it is vital that there is an overall strategy in place which does not leave the region with a poor planning legacy.

Media Enquiries:
Barbara McLure Executive Director WREDO (03) 9688 0343
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications 0417 329 201