Media release - 20th April, 2016

• Small to medium sized businesses are shifting away from Sydney’s major CBDs and are snapping up commercial assets valued between $2 million and $5 million in Western Sydney
• A major Honda dealership has secured a building in Lidcombe for $4.3 million, beating investors and developers to the prize
• The leasing market is robust with Plumbers Supplies Co-op leasing 1,373 square metres of office space at $130 a metre in Villawood

Improved business confidence and low interest rates are inspiring small to medium sized businesses to buy up Western Sydney commercial assets valued under $5 million, according to Duarte Figueira, Director, Industrial Services, Raine & Horne Commercial Olympic Park.

“Many small and medium sized businesses, with 60 staff or less, are weighing up paying a mortgage on a commercial property valued between $2 million and $5 million rather than taking out a lease,” said Mr Figueira.

“With rates at historic lows, many are opting for a commercial loan, which ultimately enables them to own a quality asset.”

To illustrate the strength of commercial markets in Western Sydney, Raine & Horne Commercial Olympic Park recently sold a building at 211 John Street, Lidcombe to a large Honda Motor dealership for $4.3 million.

“The dealership will use the freestanding 2,000 square metre industrial building, which includes a warehouse and showroom, as a future service centre,” said Mr Figueira.

The dealership beat a number of investors and developers for the prized property, which has direct access to Parramatta Road, and is close to Lidcombe Railway Station and the M4 Motorway.

“The area around John Street is a sought-after commercial precinct, with Honda joining Bunnings, Reading Cinemas, Anaconda, Costco, Woolworths and ALDI, who are already located there,” said Mr Figueira.

“The precinct is also proving popular with businesses operating in flat pack furniture and flat pack bathrooms. They are usually businesses with 30 employees or less – although we are seeing bigger businesses buying commercial space in the region.”

Apart from low interest rates, Western Sydney’s improved infrastructure is attracting businesses away from the Sydney, Parramatta, and North Sydney CBDs.

“Businesses are recognising that the west is on a growth trajectory thanks to the expansion of the West Connex, residential rezoning and improved light rail between Strathfield, Olympic Park, Parramatta and Carlingford,” said Mr Figueira.

“We’re finding that many businesses don’t need to be in the more traditional CBDs when they can get access to decent transport in less busy commercial precincts such as Blacktown, Silverwater, Olympic Park and Rhodes, where they can secure better value whether they’re buying or leasing commercial space.”

Raine & Horne Commercial Olympic Park also recently leased 1,373 square metres of office space to Plumbers Supplies Co-op at 44 Mandarin Street, Villawood at $130 a metre per annum.

“Plumbers Supplies Co-op employs 60 staff and the owners decided they didn’t need to be in Parramatta – Villawood is a more affordable industrial area for them,” said Mr Figueira.

For more information about commercial sales and leasing opportunities in Western Sydney, contact Raine & Horne Commercial Olympic Park on 02 9739 9788.

–ENDS–

For further media information contact:

Duarte Figueira, Principal, Raine & Horne Commercial Olympic Park on 0417 277 177

Andrew Harrington, National Communications Manager, Raine & Horne on 02 9258 5400