AN alliance between a leading Australian industrial property specialist and a listed investment company is set to drive an Australia-wide strategic partnership from Adelaide.
Commercial and General (C&G), which is currently redeveloping the former Football Park in West Lakes, has entered into an agreement with Singapore-listed Cambridge Industrial Trust (CIT) to co-invest in Australian industrial properties. 
"They (C&G) will act as our eyes and ears in the Australian industrial sector and co-invest with us when suitable properties are found," said Cambridge Investment Trust Management CEO Phillip Levinson.
CIT has a diversified portfolio of 51 properties located across Singapore, with a total gross floor area of 790,000sq m and a property value of $1.2 billion. It posted a net property income of $21.5 million for the first quarter.
Its properties range from logistics, warehousing, light industrial, car showroom and workshop to business park properties, which are located close to major transportation hubs and key industrial zones island-wide.
C&G develops, constructs, manages and invests - together with investor clients - in high quality commercial, industrial and residential properties throughout Australia.
Current South Australia projects include starting construction on the $250 million Calvary Hospital project in Adelaide and delivering the $1 billion WEST project at Football Park, West Lakes.
C&G is also one of the final bidders - in a joint venture with John Holland Group - for the development of the Royal Adelaide Hospital site in an estimated $2 billion project.
The companies say combining CIT's international capital and expertise with C&G's track record and domestic relationships in Australia will create a full service industrial investment management platform for the acquisition and development of high quality industrial properties right across the nation.
The agreement provides that Australian assets will be jointly owned by CIT and Commerical & General with Australian operational management under the control of C&G, which will remain headquartered in Adelaide.
The joint venture will bolster C&G's national presence, said chief executive Jamie McClurg, "Cambridge is an excellent partner for C&G which will act as a catalyst for the group to grow our business nationally." Mr McClurg expects the arrangement will lead to more jobs in South Australia as the firm tools up to drive this national strategy.
"We are already seeing a number of South Australian expats in the eastern states wanting to return home and expect more as our portfolio grows." he said."We remain committed as always to a SA jobs first wherever possible."