The Hunter Development Corporation announced it had sold a 240 hectare parcel of industrial land at Tomago to WEPL Investments Pty Ltd who is about to commence developing the WesTrac facility at Tomago.

The site lot 1001 Tomago Road is adjacent to the 93 hectare site on which the $120 million WesTrac headquarters and training facility is being constructed.

HDC Chairman Paul Broad said: “This purchase is a real vote of confidence in the Hunter as a base for a diverse range of industrial enterprises.

This important land at Tomago will play a significant part in contributing to the employment growth required to meet the demand for jobs identified in the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy.”

WEPL Investments Executive David Aspinall said the acquisition would enable an integrated approach to the planning and development of both sites.

This purchase allows the creation of a landmark industrial estate – building a foundation for Newcastle’s future which will generate employment opportunities on a large scale over time.

It will bring the benefit of economy of scale and synergy in the provision of infrastructure, access and services to the industrial lots such as power, communications and the like.”

Mr Aspinall said the site was ideally located as it was only 15 minutes from Newcastle Airport and a few minutes from the Pacific and New England highways, while being close to Port and Rail facilities as well as the Newcastle CBD.

This purchase is the first step in further significant investment on the site which will benefit the regional economy and future employment.”

Any eventual development applications for the site would be assessed by the Department of Planning as it is designated a State Significant Site.

Construction of the new $120 million headquarters for the NSW / ACT Caterpillar distributor WesTrac is on track for completion in June 2012.

Site works are on schedule to commence this month, February 2010.

As well as a headquarters for 300 workers, the facility will serve as an equipment servicing, training and apprentice centre.

NEWCASTLE EMPLOYEE WINS THE PERKINS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE- INDIVIDUAL

CatholicCare Hunter-Manning’s Coordinator of the very successful Lake Macquarie Shed Project, David Helmers, was last night pronounced the 2010 winner of The Perkins Award for Excellence in Service- Individual.

Presented at Catholic Social Services Australia’s National Conference in Canberra, this prestigious national award was one of only three awards presented on the evening and recognises an individual who has shown outstanding commitment to service and pays tribute to people who work tirelessly for a better life for disadvantaged people.

The Lake Macquarie Shed Project provides an opportunity and communal space for men to gather from all backgrounds and share their skills, make new friends, network and avail themselves of health information programmes. The project also implements strategies to assist unemployed youth, mature age unemployed, retirees, young offenders and early school leavers by utilising the skills of older people who provide mentoring opportunities which enhance participants’ skills.

CatholicCare’s Manager of Community Development Liz MacDonald was thrilled to see David nationally recognised for his high level of commitment to The Shed Movement which benefits thousands of men across Australia.

David’s creativity, passion and work efforts have taken the project from a locally based initiative with the Lake Mac Shed Project to one which now encompasses 18 member sheds in the Hunter Valley as well as a national peak body which represents more than 30,000 members within over 390 sheds Australia wide,” Liz MacDonald said.

David is also the Chief Executive Officer of the national peak body, the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) and he has an amazing capacity to engage both shed volunteers and members, the business community, government agencies and politicians to elevate the profile and health benefits the Shed provides our community with,” she said.

David Helmers said he was surprised and very humbled to receive the award.

I am thrilled to receive this award as there are so many wonderful people working in social services who do such a great job on a daily basis for their community and just to be nominated in the same category as them is an honour,” David said.

The success of The Lake Macquarie Shed Project and all sheds is due to the ongoing support and passion from all the Shed members and volunteers across Australia, our Auspicing body CatholicCare and all our other community and business partners who have supported us in so many ways,” he said.

To find out more about Men’s Sheds in the Hunter region including how you can get involved in the brand new Maitland Men’s Shed being built at the moment, phone 1800 550 009.

CatholicCare Hunter-Manning is a mission and outreach agency of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and provides a range of services including accommodation options and in-home support, respite and independent living for older persons as well as a range of children, youth and disability services to people in the Hunter-Manning area.