By Kath Gannaway
Opposition spokesperson on Planning and Local Government, David Davis, has declared his support for ensuring the Yarra Ranges Enterprise Centre (YREC) continues on its current site in Warburton.
YREC, a not-for-profit organisation, has 20 small business tenants on the government-owned site at 21 Woods Point Road which is now up for sale after the State Government declared the land surplus to requirements in 2016.
With Yarra Ranges Council declining their option to purchase the property, the ball is now in the State Government’s court as YREC seek the opportunity to purchase the property under ‘exceptional circumstances’ provisions.
Mr Davis visited the site on 31 July as part of the Victorian Coalition Shadow Cabinet visit to the Yarra Valley.
Mr Davis said the proposed sale and loss of YREC would be a blow to the local economy and local job creation.
“It was great to see first-hand the valuable work the YREC does in nurturing the development of local small businesses and more job opportunities in the Yarra Ranges,” Mr Davis said.
“The sale puts at grave risk the businesses in the YREC and the innovation that has been fostered there for nearly two decades.
“I will be working hard to ensure this forced sale does not go through,” he said.
YREC Chair Debbie deLaps welcomed the visit, saying Mr Davis had the opportunity to meet business tenants and was impressed by the uniqueness of the site and how well utilised it was.
YREC has submitted a business case to the State Government seeking exemption and that the land be sold or transferred to YREC to enable the site to remain as a business incubator.
YREC CEO Alison Fitzgerald said valuation on the property by the Valuer-General was expected towards the end of September.
Ms Fitzgerald said the YREC Committee of Management was continuing to lobby the State Government.
“In the meantime,” she said, “It’s business as usual.”
Small Business Victoria workshops are offered regularly with a six-week course beginning on 31 August, sponsored by CIRE Services.
A YREC Exhibition ‘Creativity at the Incubator’ will be staged at the Warburton Waterwheel from 24 August to 13 September, highlighting the work of 11 artists who have micro businesses at the incubator. It includes jewellery, woodwork, paintings, photography and sound healing.
