Holden finds buyer for Elizabeth site

HOLDEN has confirmed Melbourne-based Pelligra Group as the buyer for its Elizabeth site in South Australia, which will be renamed Lionsgate Business Park and developed into a commercial base for industrial, automotive and recreational interests.

However, Holden – which used its Elizabeth manufacturing facility to produce the home-grown Commodore and has been in operation since 1959 – will retain a presence at the site for spare parts storage and a proposed café and heritage museum, dubbed Redline, to be built at the business park.

Decommissioning of the site will continue to mid-2019, with Holden committed to ensuring no lasting environmental damage to the area from prolonged vehicle assembly operations.

Holden director of manufacturing, engineering and facilities Matthew Goodwins said Pelligra’s proposal for the site fits in line with the brand’s vision.

“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,” he 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.”

Meanwhile, Pelligra Group chairman Ross 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.”