General Motors : ELIZABETH’S LION WILL CONTINUE TO ROAR AS FORMER MANUFACTURING SITE SET TO TRANSFORM INTO LIONSGATE BUSINESS PARK

Holden has today confirmed the successful buyer of its former manufacturing plant at Elizabeth as the Melbourne-based developer Pelligra Group, which will re-name the extensive site 'Lionsgate Business Park'.

Pelligra, an established construction and development company with an extensive portfolio of successful commercial, industrial, and multipurpose residential projects, will be a long-term owner/investor of the site with plans to support existing and new industry, sustainable investment and job creation.

The master plan for Lionsgate, named in recognition of the iconic Holden brand and location in northern Adelaide, will build on the existing facilities to create an innovative business park comprising a mix of industrial, manufacturing, construction engineering, automotive and commercial uses as well as retail and sports/recreational activities.

Holden has started a decommissioning process of the entire site that will extend to mid-2019 and will remain in control of the site until that process is completed. Holden will retain a presence at Lionsgate Business Park in the future as a tenant, leasing back a portion of the site for its spare parts storage.

Holden Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Facilities, Matthew Goodwins, said Holden was pleased that the Elizabeth site would continue to be a hub of industry and jobs in the region.

'Our wish for the future of the site has always been that it continues to create jobs for Elizabeth and the surrounding area and we believe that Pelligra's master plan for the site is positioned to achieve this,' Mr Goodwins said.

'We are also delighted with Pelligra's intention to recognise the heritage of the site and its important place in Adelaide's history and in the Elizabeth community.'

Holden and Pelligra are negotiating to establish a centre of Holden manufacturing heritage and memorabilia at the site, proposed to be called the Redline Café & Museum after the popular V8 Commodore model.

While the decommissioning process takes place, the current Holden signage will remain in place and the grounds will be well maintained. Holden's thorough and extensive site contamination assessment, which was voluntarily started in March 2012, will continue until completed and signed off by an independent auditor in November 2018. Holden is committed to ensuring that any legacy environmental issues arising from its vehicle assembly operations are managed appropriately and in accordance with regulatory obligations.

Pelligra Group chairman Ross Pelligra said the company was delighted to be able to extend its investment footprint in South Australia, where it already owns a number of properties.

'South Australia has an exciting future before it, based on its major role in the defence industry; its significant mining and resources portfolio; its strength in food and agriculture; its geographically central location; advanced renewable energy position and its affordability,' Mr Pelligra said.

'We see enormous potential in the Holden site based on partnering with businesses operating in these sectors but also in keeping the site's automotive heritage alive through the development of a cluster of complimentary industries which tap into the significant residual skills of former Holden workers.'

Pelligra's plans for Lionsgate Business Park include extensive landscaping in the park's centre; creating distinct industry pods linked by existing wide boulevards and opening up the site's extensive frontages along Philip Hwy and John Rice Ave.

'Development will be timed to tie in with Holden's decommissioning program and we will fill the site with tenants as precincts are vacated by Holden.'

The sale was managed by CBRE Adelaide's David Reid and negotiated by Pelligra Group's Senior Development Manager, Sean Doyle and Assistant Development Manager, Maxsim Radman.

Background

Holden's former manufacturing plant at Elizabeth is located 20km north of the Adelaide CBD and provides a link between the Elizabeth and Salisbury centres.

Work first began constructing buildings and facilities at the site in 1958 with the first vehicle parts produced in 1959 and the first car bodies in 1962. Local car manufacturing by Holden end at Elizabeth on October 20, 2017.

The Lionsgate Business Park will be immediately adjacent to major defence activities and the new State Food Park. It is also at the gateway to major South Australian agricultural, horticultural and viticultural areas and provides access to the resource rich mining regions to the north of the state.

The area will benefit from significantly reduced travel times once the northern extension of South Road is completed.

Pelligra is an established construction and development company with an extensive portfolio of successful commercial, industrial, and multipurpose residential projects. The company's portfolio comprises a range of Victorian projects, including the Endeavour Werribee commercial office space and multi-level parking facility, Brooklyn Interchange retail, commercial and industrial precinct, and Williams Landing Business Centre at Hoppers Crossing.

Media Note

For Holden, contact:

Megan Lloyd
Senior Manager - Corporate & Brand Communication
0438 234 236
megan.lloyd@gm.com