Wyndham has again broken through the $1 billion mark for the value of building permits it issued in the past financial year.
The area was the fourth-highest on the Victorian Building Authority’s list of the state’s top 10 municipalities, as ranked by the value of building permits issued during a financial year.
The 2014-15 total of $1.15 billion of permits issued is below the previous financial year’s $1.24 billion value, but the figure cements Wyndham’s top-five ranking among Victoria’s 79 cities and shires.
Eight municipalities recorded $1 billion or more in the value of building permits issued in 2014-15. That was double the number of municipalities that earned the same value in the previous financial year.
Wyndham councillor Intaj Khan, the economic development portfolio-holder, said the number and value of permits being issued bodes well for Wyndham.
“A number of factors have contributed to the value of permits reaching a billion dollars,” he said.
“There have been a number of big projects happening in the area, and a number of permits issued for planning scheme precinct projects would have also contributed significantly to the [total].”
The most significant building permits issued in Wyndham, representing a combined total value of $123 million, included the permit for the shopping centre redevelopment of Werribee Plaza (Pacific Werribee) at Tarneit North, reportedly valued at $60 million, and construction of a freezer warehouse at Laverton North valued at $21 million.
“What this shows is that Wyndham council has a very effective and proactive planning department,” Cr Khan said.
“The number of building permits being fast-tracked means developers have a positive experience with this council, which encourages more investment into the area. We don’t want to delay the process for development; we want to make it easily accessible for businesses and developers … I believe this council is one of the best in Victoria in that respect,” Cr Khan said.
