Susanna Freymark
It’s been a long time coming – the Reynolds Road site in Casino is about to have construction begin on one of the 10 available plots at the industrial subdivision.
Richmond Valley Council put power, roads, water, sewer and planted many trees at the site next to Summerland Way at what the council calls the Richmond Valley Regional Job Precinct.
In March last year, the 10 plots were still vacant.
That changed yesterday, Wednesday, May 6, as the sod was turned to mark the beginning of construction on Australia Post’s new parcel delivery centre with a building envelope of 2700sqm at Reynolds Road.
The new facility will be developed by Snowy Valley Developments and it opens the way for further investment in the precinct, the council said.
Snowy Valley Developments managing director Tom Quilty said they would be using local contractors in the construction.
Council’s general manager Vaughan Macdonald said using Casino based Santin Engineering was one example of employing local people.
The delivery centre will open later this year.
The council is focussed on new industrial growth in the Richmond Valley at the Reynolds Road site and at the new Patricia Street precinct where a roundabout is being built on the Bruxner Highway on the eastern side of Casino on the way to Lismore.
This is a partnership with the Australian and NSW governments in a new $13 million investment, Mr Macdonald said.
“As industry expands, demand for housing, services, and community infrastructure will also increase, and the council is planning for those future needs now,” he said.
Last week, further funding came from the State Government to prepare detailed designs for infrastructure to support up to 1500 new homes at Fairy Hill, near the Reynolds Road site.