Holden factory to become Lionsgate Business Park

GM Holden has construction and development company Pelligra Group as the buyer of its now-shuttered Commodore factory in Elizabeth outside Adelaide, which ceased production in October.

The historic car-making site, which dates back to 1958 and produced its first complete cars in 1965, will be renamed Lionsgate Business Park in reference to the Australian brand’s lion emblem.

Holden has not revealed the sale price for its former manufacturing site located 20km north of the Adelaide CBD, which will not be formally handed over to the Melbourne-based property developer until it is decommissioned.

Holden says that will take place by around mid-2019, until which time its signage will remain in place as the company continues the “thorough and extensive” site contamination assessment it voluntarily started in March 2012 following the discovery of chemical contamination of groundwater in 2011.

Holden expects its site contamination assessment to be completed and signed off by an independent auditor in November 2018 and says it is “committed to ensuring that any legacy environmental issues arising from its vehicle assembly operations are managed appropriately and in accordance with regulatory obligations”.

Holden says it will retain a future presence at the Elizabeth site as a tenant, leasing back a portion of the site for its spare parts storage.

It is also negotiating with Pelligra to establish a “centre of Holden manufacturing heritage and memorabilia” at the site, proposed to be called the Redline Café & Museum in a nod to its finest V8 Commodore model.

Holden Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Facilities, Matthew Goodwins, said Holden was pleased that the Elizabeth site -- which will comprise a mix of industrial, manufacturing, construction engineering, automotive and commercial uses plus retail and sports/recreational activities -- would continue to be a hub of industry and jobs in the region.

“Our wish for the future of the site has always been that it continues to create jobs for Elizabeth and the surrounding area and we believe that Pelligra’s master plan for the site is positioned to achieve this,” said Goodwins.

“We are also delighted with Pelligra’s intention to recognise the heritage of the site and its important place in Adelaide’s history and in the Elizabeth community.”

An established construction and development company with an extensive portfolio of successful commercial, industrial and multipurpose residential projects, Pelligra will be a long-term owner/investor of the site and says it plans to support existing and new industry, sustainable investment and job creation.

Ross Pelligra, chairman of the Pelligra Group, a family company formed in 1960, said the company was delighted to be able to extend its investment footprint in South Australia, where it already owns a number of properties.

“South Australia has an exciting future before it, based on its major role in the defence industry; its significant mining and resources portfolio; its strength in food and agriculture; its geographically central location; advanced renewable energy position and its affordability,” he said.

“We see enormous potential in the Holden site based on partnering with businesses operating in these sectors but also in keeping the site’s automotive heritage alive through the development of a cluster of complimentary industries which tap into the significant residual skills of former Holden workers.”

Pelligra’s plans for Lionsgate Business Park include extensive landscaping in the park’s centre, creating distinct industry ‘pods’ linked by existing wide boulevards and opening up the site’s extensive frontages along Philip Highway and John Rice Avenue.

“Development will be timed to tie in with Holden’s decommissioning program and we will fill the site with tenants as precincts are vacated by Holden.”

Meantime in Victoria, Holden will retain its GM Australia design studio and head office in Fishermens Bend, plus its Lang Lang proving ground east of Melbourne, but it has already sold off its Port Melbourne manufacturing site in Port Melbourne.