A planned self-storage facility in Kemblawarra could allow up to 250 small Illawarra businesses to prosper, Kennards managing director Sam Kennard told Wollongong City Council this week.
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Mr Kennard spoke at Monday's council meeting, urging councillors to block a rescission motion that would delay the construction of a new Kennards Self Storage business.
He said businesses occupied about 37 per cent of space in his company's existing warehouses, which would mean 150 to 250 businesses could be housed in the Kemblawarra centre.
Councillors who argued against Mr Kennard's building said heavy industry-zoned land at Kemblawarra was needed to accommodate big employers.
However he said storage units could help a multitude of businesses - from large multinational companies wanting to set up a regional depot, to entrepreneurs or small contractors who needed storage.
"The future of the Illawarra may not be in heavy industry ... Apple didn't start because land was a particular zoning," he said.
"Bill Gates actually started in a garage - and I'm going to build 700 of them."
Mr Kennard said he was frustrated with the council's decision to delay his proposal to investigate other options.
"I can wait two more months to the next meeting but I really don't hold out any hope that that group of people can work out anything positive," he said.
He said he would consider selling off his land in small parcels if the storage facility was not given the green light.