April 30, 2007

BUDGET DIRECT BRINGS AMPLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES TO NORTH LAKES TOWN CENTRE

Car insurance provider Budget Direct is expanding its operations, and will celebrate the start of construction on its new $12 million call centre at an official ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday May 1, 2007 at North Lakes Town Centre.

Councillor Yvonne Barlow will officially turn the first soil alongside Budget Direct's Managing Director and CEO Michael Weston. Guests at the ceremony will include over 30 regional business leaders, such as Stockland Project Director Nick Wellwood and Pellicano Joint Managing Director Michael Pellicano.

The new 3000 m2 call centre will boast four levels and house over 300 staff. Due for completion in March 2008, the new facility is part of an intensive expansion program for Budget Direct, incorporating an increase in the company's service capabilities for its growing customer base.

Mr Weston said Budget Direct is one of Australia's fastest growing car insurance providers, and now a leading Australian employer. We are delighted that the new $12 million call centre will provide many career opportunities for residents of North Lakes and the surrounding areas, with its state-of-the-art work environment.

"We have also secured temporary office space in North Lakes, which, for the interim, will act as a recruitment and training centre for the new North Lakes call centre. The company continues to enjoy strong growth and we will start recruiting for the North Lakes location in June," he said.

North Lakes Divisional Councillor Yvonne Barlow welcomes the new development to the regional business centre, and commends Budget Direct for securing a position within such a high growth area.

"With the current increase of population in South East Queensland, Budget Direct could have opened the centre in a number of locations. The decision to develop their infrastructure at North Lakes has been a wise choice, and we are delighted to have a national company base one of their call centres here.

"Our location is close to the Brisbane CBD, we offer superb surroundings and the people of North Lakes offer a friendly environment," Clr Barlow said.

North Lakes is a fully-integrated master-planned community with approved plans for the Town Centre to include a regional-scale retail core and 38 hectares of adjacent commercial, food, professional, and personal services. North Lakes provides commercial and industrial areas with employment target of up to 13,000 people.