The effect the industrial precinct has already had in the contributing to the region’s growth has put the Meander Valley Council in the running for the 2017 National Award for Excellence in Local Government.

Mayor Craig Perkins said that while the precinct project had been on the go for nearly a decade, there had been a boom in substantial proposals put forward by private investors over the past 18 months.

“It sat dormant for awhile after the global financial crisis came along but the good thing was that when the economy turned around and opportunities started arising Tasmania became attractive it has taken off,” he said.

Two of the major developments in the works include plans from stainless steel fabricator Kolmark and Ridley’s $50 million aquaculture feed mill.

“We have entered into an agreement with the landowners through a legislative framework where we are supporting the roll-out of the infrastructure, so that they don’t carry that upfront capital cost, and then as the properties are sold then we recapture that cost,” Cr Perkins said.

“[The legislation] is used everywhere but not necessarily in this way, but it guarantees that the council will receive their funds … and we have done it to help the developers fund the infrastructure.

“It’s basically a no-risk for anyone, the council almost plays the role of a bank for lack of a better word but in a really considered approach and it helps share the risk, but in the long run it puts no risk back on our ratepayers.”

Cr Perkins said feedback from developers who were eager to invest had also revealed the industrial precinct to be a more efficient and cost saving place to invest.

This is due to the council having already undertaken things such as flora and fauna studies and road studies, saving time and money in the planning process.

“We’re not trying to cut corners in planning, we are trying to make it an easier path through the process but developers still need to conform with all the planning laws,” Cr Perkins said.

“One of the first tests of development readiness of the site was the BOC Gas Plant that opened there about seven years ago.

“They started a process here and in other parts of Australia for similar plants and they were still going through the planning process on the mainland sites and they had opened in Westbury.”

But the mayor said responsibility for the long-term viability of the site did not only lie with the council but with all levels of government.