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
Feature |
Heavy Industry |
Vacant Parcels |
25 |
Vacant Hectares |
2091 |
Land Price |
From $20 per square metre ($200,000 per hectare) |
Lot sizes |
Large |
Gas |
Yes. Connected to the Tasmanian gas pipeline available |
Water |
Yes. TasWater has a raw water supply main running along the frontage of the land along Bridport Road, a 300mm diameter treated water main from the intersection of East Tamar Highway /Bridport Road Intersection. |
Sewage |
Not accessible on serviced land |
NBN |
Yes |
Proximity to Bell Bay Port |
At Bell Bay port |
Proximity to Devonport Port |
100 kilometres (1 hour 15 minutes) |
Proximity to Burnie Port |
145 kilometres (1 hour 45 minutes) |
Proximity to Rail |
At Bell Bay Interchange |
Electricity 400v supply |
Yes |
Electricity 22 kv supply |
Yes |
Electricity 110 kv supply |
Yes |
Electricity 220 kv supply |
Yes |
Proximity to Highway |
500 metres to East Tamar Highway |
Proximity to CBD |
3.6 kilometres from George Town, 46.6 Kilometres from Launceston |
Proximity to Airport |
60 kilometres (45 minutes) |
Proximity to Resources |
Resources are at source (timber, woodchips, aluminium) |
Access by HML Route Vehicles, HPV and B Doubles |
Yes |
24/ 7 access and operation |
Yes |
Mobile phone coverage |
Telstra coverage 4GX |
Current business types present |
An aluminium smelter, pulp, sands and soil extractive industry, and related heavy industries. |
Estimated employment in precinct |
3000+ |
Fast tracked planning |
Depending on activity proposed (e.g. longer timeframes expected for level 2 activities listed below) |
Statutory Planning Provisions |
General Industrial Zone (25.0) |
|
Light Industrial Zone (24.0) |
|
Scenic Management Area overlay on some forested areas (103.SCN) |
Planning fee schedule |
Please contact Justine Brooks- Bedelph at +61 3 6382 8822 or justineb@georgetown.tas.gov.au |
Building Fee Schedule |
|
Rate Schedule |
|
Rate subsidy |
Not at present, however currently being proposed and discussed within George Town Council. |
Permitted land uses |
See below |
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
Address |
East Tamar Highway, Bell Bay |
Local Government Area |
George Town Council |
Contact Name |
Justine Brooks- Bedelph |
Contact Phone Number |
+61 3 6382 8822 |
Contact Email |
justineb@georgetown.tas.gov.au |
Investment contact |
Office of the Coordinator General, State Government of Tasmania |
Contact Phone Number |
+61 3 6777 2786 |
Contact Email |
cg@cg.tas.gov.au |