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TAMWORTH is on the edge of a huge business boom, according to local agents, with two crucial developments on the horizon.
The state government looks set to spend big in regional NSW with its upcoming and budget and there’s talk of some key projects getting off the ground.
Mayor Col Murray revealed his pipe-dream for the city at the start of the year with a plan to bring international freight through Tamworth airport.
Coupled with a potential rail-line upgrade which would pave the way for an inter-modal rail hub and the large-scale industrial development slated for Glen Artney, the city could be set to take off in terms of growth.
It can’t come soon enough for real estate agent Richie Thornton, who said the industrial sector was the tightest he has seen it in 30 years.
“There’s not enough existing buildings,” Mr Thornton said.
While there is apparently a huge demand for industrial space, Mr Thornton said the potential developments would have multiple flow-on effects.
“It’s not just industrial development, other things could benefit in terms of more service industries,” he said.
A point which was echoed by Burke and Smyth principal Gavin Knee.
“Absolutely, it will contribute right across a number of industries and wider business community,” he said.
“We’re talking about thousands of jobs in that area.
“It also creates jobs in construction and increases the need for housing and it helps retailers.”
Mr Knee believed the Tamworth airport was better-placed than outer-metro locations to expand into international freight.
“The growth of housing demand in the city is stifling, they can’t just add another 20 freight routes a day,” he said.
“Whereas here, we haven’t got the cluster of housing in the 10km surrounding the airport.”
NSW deputy premier John Barilaro recently announced that the government is “set to release more than $1 billion in funds to turbo-charge regional centres” and made specific reference to Tamworth and its airport plan.
Council has already met with a number of state government departments to discuss the plan.