International modern agriculture hub planned for Melbourne’s West
A region in Melbourne’s outer western perimeter near Melton is set to become home to one of Australia’s most exciting developments in peri-urban agribusiness.
In mid-2016, China’s Fucheng Investment group purchased the last available section of the Baillieu family’s Woodhouse Station in Melbourne’s outer west for AUD $100 million.
Fucheng Investment has now announced the land will be used to create an “agribusiness city”.
Across phased stages, the land will be used to develop an “interlinked, closed-loop agribusiness model” which will help grow local employment.
“A blend of intensive, organic and experimental agricultural products, and associated research and development” will also be conducted on the site.
Investing in Melbourne’s growing west
The former Woodhouse Station is located in outskirts of Melbourne near the suburb of Melton, approximately 37km from the CBD. It spans across 4953 hectares of land.
The area is located near Wyndham. Both Melton and Wyndham are among Australia’s fastest growing local government areas.
Engineers appointed to design Agribusiness City
International engineering group, Jacobs, has already been appointed to lead the project conceptualisation, planning and design of the site.
Chief Executive Officer of Fucheng Investment Australia, Chris Potaris, said the company appointed Jacobs as global leaders in city planning and infrastructure development to help create something “completely unique” in Melbourne’s west.
“Our long-term vision for the site includes the creation of an inviting, dynamic town centre, innovative education facilities, contemporary residential dwellings that incorporate the latest sustainability features, and a focus on attracting tourism. Jacobs stood out as the team who not only understood our vision, but had the ability and experience to realise it,” Potaris said.
Initial concept planning for the site will take place in the first few months of 2017, with key Fucheng Investment Australia representatives meeting with the Jacobs team, including members of Jacobs’ US-based Advanced Planning group.
Related article
