Mike Baird & Pru Goward med rel: Bumper day for jobs in Western Sydney

NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Mike Baird today turned the first sod on two major projects in Western Sydney which will generate hundreds of additional jobs for the booming region.

“NSW is once again the engine room of the Australian economy and Western Sydney is the driving force,” Mr Baird said.

“More and more companies are calling Western Sydney home because of the skills of its workforce and this government’s delivery of vital infrastructure to support economic growth,” Mr Baird said.

Mr Baird and Minister for Planning Pru Goward announced NSW Government approval for a new $32 million Lindt chocolate factory, office and warehouse to be built at Marsden Park, which will be home to 325 full time jobs and create 150 full-time jobs created during construction.

Earlier in the day Mr Baird joined Masters for an announcement about four new stores at Penrith, Marsden Park, Northmead and Rouse Hill – the four stores are expected to create over 2,000 jobs in Western Sydney.

“We’ve been investing hundreds of millions in dollars in roads like Richmond Road, Camden Valley Way, Erskine Park Link Road and Old Wallgrove Road to open new employment lands and make Western Sydney an even more attractive place to invest.

“This is great news for families who want to work close to where they live,” Mr Baird said.

Ms Goward said the purpose-built Lindt factory, warehouse and office has been approved as a State Significant Development, and will manufacture, store and distribute goods for Lindt’s cafes and other retailers across Australia.

“Unlike Lindt’s famous Lindor Balls, there’s nothing soft at the centre of jobs growth in Western Sydney, thanks to the NSW Government’s focus on supporting the region.

“Employees at the new facility will have the benefit of the North West Rail Link and an upgraded Richmond Road, thanks to the commitment of the NSW Government.

“Infrastructure remains a critical factor in the take-up of employment land. Lindt’s move to Western Sydney is another vote of confidence in a region with the population, skills and developing infrastructure to help businesses boom.”

Ms Goward said investment in infrastructure in Western Sydney is helping families spend more time at home and less time commuting as job opportunities open up close to where homes are being built.

“This is smart planning as we work to rebuild NSW – identifying employment land and investing in the infrastructure we need to secure jobs in Western Sydney now and into the future.

“Significant road infrastructure projects boost business and investor confidence in NSW with the value of industrial development approvals boosting from $510 million in 2011-12 to $650 million in 2012-13.”

Construction will begin on the Lindt factory at Sydney Business Park immediately, with staff to move in and begin operations in late 2015.