THE FUTURE AT THE ATP
TECHNOLOGY + GROWTH + SUSTAINABILITY
Australian Technology
Park (ATP) has been continuously developed since its establishment in 1996, but
the vision for the Park has remained the same: to sustain a thriving,
technology-focused, growth-oriented business park producing leading products
and services.
As owner of ATP,
UrbanGrowth NSW Development Corporation (UGDC) has actively encouraged new
development and employment opportunities at the Park. For instance, the
Redfern-Waterloo Built Environment Plan and the State Environment Planning
Policy provided the opportunity to create a total of 222,486 sqm of gross floor
space.
In 2013, UrbanGrowth
NSW on behalf of UGDC sought Registrations of Interest (ROI) in the possible
development of three sites within the Park. Strong responses to the ROI process
demonstrated that the best option for ATP to meet its long-term objectives
would be to proceed to Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the sale of the whole
Park.
In late 2014,
UrbanGrowth NSW launched the E01 to enable further development of the Park
consistent with the vision set out for ATP, and to unlock the capital tied up
in owning the asset.
Selling the Park as a
whole will give any future owners or developers the flexibility to manage the
Park and its attributes on a whole-of-site basis, consistent with the State
Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development) 2005 and ensuring a
vested interest in the success of the Park, including its heritage, community
engagement and sustainability programs.
For more information
about the EOI, contact ATP on +61 2 9209 4220 or via communications@atp.com.au.
FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is ATP
being sold?
The NSW Government is
considering the sale of ATP to realise the capital locked in the asset,
including for possible reinvestment in the transformation of the Central to
Eveleigh corridor (in which ATP is located). It will also enable further
development of the Park, consistent with the State Environmental Planning
Policy (Major Development) 2005.
If the NSW Minister
for Planning decides that the EOI generates the level of interest expected, and
meets the Government’s view of the overall value of ATP (in terms of price, and
public benefits like access, heritage and employment), the site will be offered
for sale by tender.
The ROI in late 2013
showed that there is substantial market interest in the site. The next step is
to proceed with an EOI to confirm the market interest, and to help determine a
fair sale price.
How will
EOls be assessed and evaluated?
The E01 will include
requirements for continued public access to and through the Park; that any
developments embrace the commercial, heritage and conservation attributes of
the Park; and that they contribute positively to the surrounding community.
When will
the Park be sold?
Should
the NSW Minister for Planning decide that the E01 and tender process produce a
satisfactory submission that meets the Government’s objectives, it is currently
anticipated that the Park will be sold sometime in 2015.
What will
happen to the buildings and businesses at ATP?
The buildings and tenants
at ATP are under a number of head leases and sub-leases, or medium- and
long-term leases – and any future owner is contractually obligated to honour
these commitments. It will be business as usual for existing tenants at ATP.
Will the
technology and research focus of the Park continue?
A
number of major tenants already located at ATP promote its identity as a
technology and research hub. These include the 2014 Business Incubator of the
Year, ATP Innovations, as well as the University of Sydney, the University of NSW,
the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation,
NICTA, Media City, and many others.
Sale
of the Park to a prospective developer or business will be determined by their
potential to make the Park a viable place for business, now and into the
future. Through the ROI process, interest has been shown in the Park from
proponents considering traditional commercial uses as well as hotels,
gymnasiums, and other retail offers.
Has a
decision been made on the future of ATP’s Conference and Exhibition Centre?
The value of the
Conference and Exhibition Centre to Government and the Park as a whole has been
explored as part of a strategic review, and it is currently anticipated that
the Centre will continue with business as usual into at least 2017. If the Park
is sold, the Conference and Exhibition Centre may become a tenant at the Park.
Will the
heritage of the site be affected by the sale?
ATP forms part of the
former Eveleigh Railway and Locomotive Workshops
State Heritage Register listing, and a
Conservation Management Plan has been prepared for ATP and endorsed by
the NSW Heritage Council.
The industrial
heritage of the Park is important to ATP’s identity, and is maintained and
managed in accordance with the Heritage Act, 1977. The E01 will ask
prospective owners to demonstrate their capacity and experience in relation to
heritage matters.
Source: Leaflet available at ATP information session on EOI for Sale of AYP – see also www.atp.com.au/Property/Development/THE-FUTURE-AT-THE-ATP