Calder Stewart has announced it has acquired a 513ha industrial-zoned site at Awarua, near Invercargill, for a development that could become the "flagship" for economic development in the southern region.
Calder Stewart executive director Alan Stewart said the site was strategically located, given road and rail connections to South Island ports.
"The site’s unique location and nearby infrastructure strengths was a major drawcard for the investment. Direct lines from Manapouri may provide clean energy to future tenants."
Mr Stewart said the company had plans to earmark portions of the site for protection, regeneration, renewable energy and innovative sustainability aspects.
"By prioritising these initiatives and carefully developing the site to scale, the company anticipates considerable national and international interest in major new development," he said.
Invercargill City Council had purchased the former dairy farm in stages between 2006 and 2008, with the intention of facilitating industrial development and securing the city’s economic future.
"The size and scale of the new project is unlike anything previously seen in New Zealand and a cohesive, strategic approach is now being planned at Awarua," Mr Stewart said.
An collaborative approach between Calder Stewart, ICC, local business leaders and mana whenua from Awarua Runanga would be crucial to the new endeavour, he added.
Great South Southland economic development unit chairman Ian Collier said the news was very exciting for the region.
"For Calder Stewart to have the confidence to build an industrial estate is reflective of how they see the region growing as we move forward.
"They know what they are doing ... it’s a significant investment on their part."
They were an experienced firm who will have done their homework, he said.
"We will obviously be doing everything we can to support them as they develop that site."
He expected the industrial estate would attract business.
Mr Collier believed as Southland business development agencies collaborated the province would be in a position to provide the housing and infrastructure to support industrial and economic growth.
Southland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sheree Carey said the news of this development was extremely exciting and showed the ongoing confidence in the region from large scale investors.
"It’s great to see the land move into commercial hands for such a large project, which will only add to our already strong economy.
Calder Stewart built the ILT Velodrome, Bill Richardson Transport World and Kmart store.
By Toni McDonald
