Hub gets go-ahead

After splitting the $14 million Denmark East Development Precinct Project into two, the Shire of Denmark voted to proceed immediately with the town’s new industrial area.

The Shire has been working towards building a new industrial area outside Denmark’s CBD to help free up the town centre and reduce the number of truck movements around the main street.

It has purchased more than 11ha of rural land in McIntosh Road and has appointed Landcorp to rezone the land into a general industry zone.

Landcorp has indicated the rezoning process is near completion and construction will start in January.

Two companies have lodged early entry submissions to the Shire, with the view to move into the area once it is rezoned. Shire president David Morrell, the only councillor opposed to the proposal, said there were risks associated with the early entry.

“I understand that the council might be fearful that these businesses might choose to relocate to a different shire,” he said.

“But I see a few risks as the applicant will be going into a situation where there’s no water, no power, no telephone, and probably only a track as there are no main roads near the area just yet.”

One of the early entry applicants is a Perth modular building company which has recently moved to Denmark and is in dire need of premises.

The other early entry applicant is Denmark Concrete, a local business looking to expand which currently sub-leases its office in town. Denmark Shire executive officer Bill Parker said the Shire would review the proposal and consult with the other companies which had applied to move into the hub next year before making a decision.