Doubts Over Lake Business Centre Scheme
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday April 21, 1998
A $500,000 federal grant to establish a business incubator centre at Boolaroo was in jeopardy because Pasminco considered the chosen site to be too close to its lead and zinc smelter, Lake Macquarie City Council was told last night.
The grant is to be reviewed because of the length of time taken in finalising preparations for the centre.
The Federal Government announced almost a year ago that Lake Macquarie had been selected to have one of three new centres designed to provide low-cost work space and advice for new business ventures.
Ourimbah and Taree were also chosen.
The Government promised $350,000 to build the Lake Macquarie centre and $150,000 to back the first three years of operation.
A board developing the concept believed it had successfully negotiated for a site in Third St, Boolaroo, jointly owned by Pasminco and the council.
But last night Cr Gordon Hughes (Ind) said the business incubator was at risk and called on the council to find another site urgently.
`We have been advised this week that Pasminco have decided not to co-operate on the deal on the basis that it could jeopardise the integrity of the buffer zone around the plant,' he said.
A spokesman for Pasminco said last night that to allow the site to be used for the business centre would contravene the terms of a contamination buffer zone. ? Sally Croxton
© 1998 Newcastle Herald