Hitachi moves operations to Forrestdale

• Global machinery manufacturer set to build $100m facility in Armadale area

• Hitachi facility will bring 350 workers to site at Forrestdale Business Park

• Armadale redevelopment attracts millions of dollars of new investment

Planning Minister John Day has welcomed the decision of manufacturing giant, Hitachi, to establish a new $100million facility at Forrestdale Business Park as a major win for the Armadale area.

Mr Day said Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia's new headquarters would bring 350 employees to the area.

The company is the first to buy land in Forrestdale Business Park West, buying a 10ha site.

The Minister said Hitachi's decision to relocate to the park and develop a state-of-the-art facility had generated significant private sector interest in a number of other sites in the area.

"Hitachi is a household name and a major supplier to the State's mining industry including Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group and BHP Billiton, manufacturing equipment such as dump trucks, dozers, excavators and harvesters," he said.

"Hitachi's decision is a real win for the Armadale area and its economic future.  It has generated a forward momentum with a number of associated businesses already expressing an interest in co-locating with Hitachi, and in discussions with landowners. 

"The company has outgrown its existing facilities and chose Forrestdale for a $100million development that will enable it to further expand in Western Australia."

Mr Day said the transformation of Armadale continued to stimulate significant public and private sector investment, creating a sense of excitement about living and working in the area. Forrestdale Business Park consists of more than 300ha of commercial and industrial land.

"Ultimately, Forrestdale Business Park is expected to accommodate up to 700 industrial lots, with the potential to become home to more than 12,000 workers," he said.

"Attracting valuable economic growth and employment opportunities to the region is a key outcome of the redevelopment of Armadale.

"In 12 months, the MRA has approved more than 170 planning applications for the Armadale and Wungong redevelopment areas totalling more than $70million in private sector investment.

"This has meant 150 families have been able to progress with building their new homes in Wungong, Champion Lakes and Seville Grove and more than 20 new businesses are establishing themselves in Forrestdale Business Park."

Fact File

• Hitachi's new facility is due for completion in June 2015

• The Forrestdale Business Park is located 28km south-east of Perth

• More information is available at http://www.mra.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 6200