September 15, 2015

By Lexi Cottee

Construction is under way on a $1.2 billion business park at Mickleham that will create almost 7000 jobs during the building phase alone.

The park is part of the Merrifield project, a joint venture between Melbourne-based MAB Corporation and Gibson Property Corporation, which is transforming 770 hectares into a commercial, residential and industrial precinct. Last Wednesday, MAB Corporation co-founder Andrew Buxton welcomed Premier Daniel Andrews, Hume mayor Adem Atmaca and other state MPs to look at plans and drawings for the 330-hectare business park.

Once completed, the business park is projected to generate up to 11,000 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs, representing 16-26 per cent of Hume’s jobs growth by 2036.

Paint manufacture Dulux was the first major business to announce it would move in. In March, the company revealed it would relocate some of its paint operations from Sydney and Brisbane to a new $165 million plant at Mickleham by 2017. Its new distribution centre is expected to start operating mid to late next year.

Mr Andrews said the Merrifield development would provide a significant economic boost for the state. “This business park, upon completion, will support more than 30,000 jobs and that’s great for Melbourne’s north and great for our state.”

Mr Buxton said the park’s location was a drawcard for some of Australia’s biggest businesses. “Merrifield’s positioning near major transport infrastructure, chiefly the Hume Freeway, servicing the east coast, Melbourne International airport and Somerton Intermodal Terminal with access to the Port of Melbourne, will allow businesses to access local, regional and interstate markets 24/7,” Mr Buxton said.

He said the company’s vision was to create a community in which people could live, shop and work close to their own home. In 2013, then planning minister Matthew Guy described Mickleham as a “20-minute” city, based on the principle of working close to home.