Bell Bay Industrial Precinct

Tasmania's largest industrial precinct

Investing in Bell Bay

The precinct occupies 2,500 hectares and is home to Bell Bay Aluminium, South 32, Ecka Granules, TasPorts, Qube, Forico, Timberlink and a diverse range of businesses.  The Bell Bay Industrial Precinct is responsible for 59 per cent of all Tasmania's manufactured exports.

A project led by Northern Tasmania Development has identified vital information to assist businesses to establish, relocate or expand their operations at Bell Bay.

For the first time, an interactive map now displays vacant lot information.  An accompanying Bell Bay Industrial Precinct Technical Guide presents the strategic benefits of investing in Bell Bay, including information about infrastructure and services, statutory planning and key contact information.

The map and technical information are presented here with thanks to Northern Tasmania Development.

Interactive Map

Technical Information

Strategic Positioning

More than 99 per cent of Tasmania’s export products are transported by sea. Over the past two decades, the pattern of trade to and from Tasmania has changed and the three northern ports, Burnie, Devonport and Bell Bay, now account for the majority of the state’s freight imports/exports. Tasmania’s primary deep-water port is at Bell Bay, which offers uncongested waterways and all-weather access. It employs around 3,500 people and indirectly generates an additional 20,000 jobs (City of Launceston, 2013, p 84). The Port of Bell Bay is located on the mouth of the Tamar River 48 kilometres north of Launceston, near George Town. The port has direct rail access and is capable of both bulk and container handling, and contributes approximately 12.5% of total Gross State Product for Tasmania (Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts, 2012, p 22, City of Launceston, 2013, p 84).

Bell Bay houses the State’s largest heavy industrial estate, which is the only major industrial site in Tasmania with room to expand (Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts, 2012, p 10, City of Launceston, 2013, p 16). The heavy industrial estate at Bell Bay occupies 2,500 hectares and currently incorporates metal smelting, alloy production, forest processing facilities and adjoins the site for the proposed pulp mill. The Bell Bay industrial area is responsible for 59 per cent of all Tasmania’s manufactured exports.

The majority of the vacant land within the Bell Bay region is owned by the following companies:

• Forico
• Bell Bay Aluminum
• KordaMentha
• TasPorts

Statutory Planning

George Town Council’s General Industrial Zone has a local area objective to promote the Bell Bay industrial area as a strategic location of State importance, for the establishment of major industries requiring the locational advantages of a deep port, existing transport infrastructure and services and separation from incompatible uses The desired future character statement is to:

• Encourage major industrial use and development to locate and consolidate in the Bell Bay industrial area
• Small scale industrial activities are discouraged except where such uses service or support major industrial use and development.
• High volumes of freight and heavy vehicles will be a feature of the zone.
• Some industries may use dangerous chemicals and processes and cause nuisances such as smoke, dust and noise
• To ensure land abutting the Tamar River Crown Reserve is reserved for industries which specifically require access to the water for wharf and associated installations
• To ensure maximum utilisation of existing service infrastructure and ensure expansion of infrastructure services are coordinated.
• Ensure the protection and efficiency of transport infrastructure including road, rail and water when new development is approved.

Use and Development Standards are outlined in the George Town Interim Planning Scheme, found here.

The following table outlines the various uses permitted in the general industrial zone and the light industrial zone

Uses under General Industrial Zone

No permit required

• Natural and cultural values management (If by an agency, or a corporation all the shares of which are held by Councils)

Permitted

• Equipment and machinery sales and hire
• Recycling and waste disposal
• Storage
• Manufacturing and processing
• Research and development
• Resource processing (If not for animal salesyard or abattoir)
• Transport depot and distribution
• Utilities (If for minor utilities)

Discretionary

• Emergency services
• Food services (If for café or takeaway food premises)
• Passive recreation (If by a public authority)
• Service industry
• Resource processing (If for animal salesyards or abbatoir)
• Utilities (If not for minor utilities)

Prohibited

• All other uses

Source: George Town Council Interim Planning Scheme, 2013

Uses under Light Industrial Zone

No permit required

• Natural and cultural values management (If by an agency, or a corporation all the shares of which are held by Councils)
• Passive recreation (If by an agency, or a corporation all the shares of which are held by Councils)

Permitted

• Equipment and machinery sales and hire
• Service industries
• Storage
• Research and development
• Transport depot and distribution
• Utilities

Discretionary

• Bulky goods (If for garden or landscaping supplies, hardware or trade (wholesale) supplies
• Business and professional services
• Community meeting and entertainment
• Crematoria and cemeteries (If for crematoria)
• Domestic animal breeding, boarding or training
• Emergency services
• Food services (If for a café or takeaway food premises
• Recycling and waste disposal
• Resource processing (If not for animal saleyards or abattoir
• Vehicle fuel sales and service
• Manufacturing and processing
• Vehicle parking

Prohibited

• All other uses

Source: George Town Council Interim Planning Scheme, 2013

It is important to note that some ‘Permitted’ uses may operate at a level that is classified as a ‘Level 2 Activity’ under the Environmental Management & Pollution Control Act schedule. This means that they are automatically classified as a ‘Discretionary’ use on the basis of potential environmental impact, and are assessed through a dual process through Council and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA deals with all environmental issues and the Council assesses the rest. The discretion is only for environmental impact.

Contact Information