Victorian government acquires Holden site

GM-Holden has sold its 37.7-hectare site at Fishermans Bend, Port Melbourne to the Victorian state government, it has been revealed in a press release issued earlier this week.

The sale of the property was made official barely 12 months after Holden first engaged real estate agent CBRE to seek expressions of interest.

According to the government press release, the property, which has been a base of Holden's manufacturing operations for more than 80 years, will come to be known as the Fishermans Bend Employment Precinct. By 2050, the government insists, different employers housed within the precinct will employ 60,000 workers in close proximity to the Docklands residential zone. It's the government's plan for the precinct to be a crucible for design and engineering projects in defence, marine, aerospace and automotive industries, boosting the local economy.

The government is currently in "advanced" talks with Holden concerning the GM subsidiary's plans for its R&D team to remain located within the precinct.

"We will keep the spirit and ingenuity of Australian manufacturing alive and well at this iconic site with a new precinct for design, engineering and technology that will retain and create jobs for Victorians," Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan was quoted as saying in the press release.

"We have a clear vision for this historic site and the future of Fishermans Bend, which builds on our strengths in defence, education and advanced manufacturing."

"This was a once in a generation opportunity to secure a site of this size and proximity to the CBD – we didn't want to see it wasted."
Pictured: Then Prime Minister Ben Chifley (Labor) with the 48-215 (FX) Holden at Fishermans Bend in 1948