Rodney Stevens
A welcome injection of 1900 highly skilled jobs could transform the Northern Rivers employment landscape under a draft master plan proposal released this month by the NSW Government for a Regional Job Precinct, and the government are seeking community feedback about the plan.
The NSW Government has developed the Richmond Valley Regional Job Precinct RJP Draft Master Plan DMP outlining a long-term vision to create up to 1900 highly skilled jobs, which will grow North Coast industries including agribusiness, manufacturing, and food processing.
Developed by the NSW Government in consultation with Richmond Valley Council, the DMP is designed to leverage the Richmond Valley’s highly productive agricultural land and workforce, plus its connection to major transport routes and the rail line, to create jobs for a skilled and growing regional workforce.
The DMP was designed to provide improved strategic planning framework, expert studies and technical information, to give businesses or investors greater certainty to set-up or expand their operations.
A discussion paper on the RJP explains the location and size of the precinct, which will be split into sub-precincts, primarily located off the Summerland Way, north-west of Casino.
Sub-precinct one, at Nammoona will cater for a wide range of industries, including those with a larger footprint and heavy industries, sub-precinct two is the area around the Casino Co-Op (meat works), and sub-precinct three will build on the current Cassino Drive industrial estate.
“The Richmond Valley RJP covers an area of 510ha and focuses on areas of existing investment including Nammoona Industrial Area, Casino Food Co-op Complex and Johnston Street Industrial Area and has identified areas for expansion and new development,” the discussion paper states.
“The Richmond Valley RJP will attract new and existing businesses to deliver more jobs for the region.”
Focused on delivering planning support to local councils to drive investment and boost economic prosperity in regional NSW, the government has already established RJP’s at Albury, South Jerrabomberra, and Namoi.
Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said the DMP provides a strategic vision for land use in the Richmond Valley.
“We want to make Casino and the broader Richmond Valley region a great place to live, work, play and invest; where long-term growth, investment and development opportunities are available,” she said.
“This area has the potential to generate up to 1900 new jobs across agribusiness, manufacturing, food processing and other niche industries to 2036 and beyond.”
Minister for Planning, Paul Scully said the RJP will drive investment and boost economic productivity and he encouraged locals to have their say on the proposal.
“The draft master plan sets out ways the Government and Richmond Valley Council want to make it easier to attract and secure regional investment, create new jobs, and set up communities like the Richmond Valley for success,” he said.
To make a submission on the DMP visit https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/richmondvalleyRJP or email regionaljobprecincts@regional.nsw.gov.au
