MAB says employment land provides great opportunities to grow business

MAB General Manager Richard Johnston said that there is a great opportunity for many of Melbourne’s government and private sector organisations to locate their businesses closer to their client base and workforce.

Mr Johnston discussed the opportunity at a recent Property Council breakfast titled “Work, rest and play – delivering employment land for Victoria’.

“The recent growth corridor plans released by the State Government indicates a solid approach to building employment right across Melbourne,” said Mr Johnston. “This includes the realistic target of one job for every household.”

At the event, Mr Johnston provided examples of organisations locating their offices in traditional CBD locations, despite the fact that their workforce and client base are located in outer regions.

“We have case studies of tenants at our developments deliberately relocating to an outer region to ensure they meet the specific needs of their clients,” said Mr Johnston. “It is a smart, strategic move that provides long term benefits to an organisation and to the wider community.”

MAB has a 16-year history of business park and office suite developments, including fully integrated business precincts as demonstrated at University Hill, Bundoora which will provide employment for approximately 4,000 people on completion.

“Employment land opportunities need to identify mutually beneficial gains to a region. They cannot be isolated facilities that become ghost towns after 5pm,” said Mr Johnston. “Our vision is to build 24-hour communities – integrated and sustainable developments that provide all facets of modern life within walking distance of homes and business.

“This includes providing childcare, gyms, medical centres, cafes, restaurants, banks, retail outlets all within easy access.”

Mr Johnston also discussed the benefit of long term planning by local government. “MAB recently acquired prime land at Epping that had been earmarked for employment land some time ago by the City of Whittlesea,” he said. “Council’s patience to set aside this land for employment – despite surrounding residential pressure – will now bring an employment boon to the area.”

MAB has demonstrated a strong commitment to the employment land sector, acquiring land at Epping and Cranbourne in 2011. “We have a solid portfolio of commercial and industrial projects right across Melbourne,” said Mr Johnston.

Mr Johnston joined Sarah Emons, Director Urbis and Halvard Dalheim, Director State Strategy, Department of Planning and Community Development as a key speaker at the breakfast event.