TECHNOLOGY
FUTURE SECURED AT ATP
The NSW Government
today announced the sale of the Australian Technology Park (ATP) in Redfern to
a Mirvac-led consortium.
Both financial and
non-financial criteria were used to assess the tender, including a vision to
expand the Park’s technology focus, a commitment to upgrade public areas and
community facilities, and to maintain the heritage of the site.
Planning
Minister Rob Stokes said with the sale of ATP to the Mirvac-led consortium, the
vision for the Park as a vibrant creative and tech precinct can be fully
realised.
“Our aspiration for
this site is to continue the transformation from dilapidated railway buildings
to a growing technology hub,” Mr Stokes said.
“Mirvac and its
partners have made a commitment to revitalise the existing technology precinct,
and the NSW Government has secured ongoing environmental, heritage and access
commitments.”
Mirvac will develop new
office space across the buildings and will also revitalise the Locomotive
Workshop, which will be dedicated for technology and innovation users and
startup businesses. Additionally, up to 75,000sqm of floor space capacity will
be reserved at ATP for technology uses into the future.
The consortium is considering
using a new $2.1 million Tech Incubation Fund to be established by Mirvac, the
Commonwealth Bank and Centuria to encourage technology startups to locate in
the Park.
Mirvac has also entered
into a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Sydney to support
digital and creative industries and confirmed there is potential to accommodate
other tech companies within the campus.
Mr Stokes said the sale
was also good news for the communities surrounding the Central to Eveleigh rail
corridor.
“The consortium has
made a commitment to improving community facilities within ATP through a
significant investment to upgrade to public areas, making them more accessible
with benefits including a community building, childcare facilities, fitness
facilities and the provision for retail outlets, cafes and restaurants,” Mr
Stokes said.
“In accordance with the
Government’s requirements, they will also maintain and manage the site’s
heritage buildings, and ensure continued and safe public access through the
site to important destinations like Redfern Railway Station.
Proceeds from the sale
of ATP will be invested in the local area, helping finance major infrastructure
investments in the Central to Eveleigh corridor.
This proposal excludes
residential development on ATP, ensuring the site’s technology employment focus
will continue.