Leaders gather at The Macquarie Park Summit
What’s special about Macquarie Park today, and what will it be like in 20 years? That was the theme of discussions as leaders from across our innovation district came together for The Macquarie Park Summit on Wednesday.
With 20,000 new jobs planned for the area, attendees at our first major face-to-face event since the start of the pandemic learned how Macquarie Park will change - and the impact and opportunities this presents.
Business leaders, researchers, innovators and developers joined with politicians and government agencies to discuss Macquarie Park’s strengths today, the needs of our community, and the long term plans for our area.
Mayor of the City of Ryde Councillor Jordan Lane addressed the summit, as did local MP and NSW Government Minister Victor Dominello, who stated:
“Macquarie Park is going to be central to the NSW Government and the way we recover from the pandemic both in our State, and in Australia”
Eric Knight, Executive Dean at Macquarie Business School (Macquarie University) shared why the University is proud to call an innovation district home, while Director of the Digital Centre of Excellence at Optus, Gavin Wertheim, highlighted their innovative practices as a major employer in the area.
Macquarie Park faces a challenge to grow elegantly from “a 20th century car-oriented campus to a 21st century place”.
Already generating $9.5billion in GDP each year, it must now attract more talent, investment and innovation opportunities to become a world-leading innovation district.
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Hugh Durrant-Whyte led an engaging panel discussion with the Greater Sydney Commission’s Executive Director for Macquarie Park, Sarah Winter, Team Leader at CSIRO’s Lindfield Collaboration Hub Katie Green and Gavin Wertheim from Optus. They discussed the challenges of planning, creating community connections and the career pathways for talent in Macquarie Park.
As event hosts, Connect MPID used the summit to launch a landmark new report.
“A ROAD MAP FOR MACQUARIE PARK: COLLABORATION. INNOVATION. TRANSFORMATION" shares a snapshot of Macquarie Park as a succesful innovation district today, and what could happen here next.
Based on in depth engagement and research with our community, and representing the voice of our members, the report highlights 26 policy commitments already announced for Macquarie Park and considered “a good place to start”, as Connect MPID General Manager Mark Ames explained:
“This roadmap is a clear signal that Macquarie Park’s community is engaged and excited about the government’s vision for our area’s future, that we are ready to collaborate and work together to build that future, and that Connect MPID can help different agencies achieve their aims with more impact.”
Connect MPID Board member and National Development Manager at Stockland, Craig Lenarduzzi, closed the event by thanking attendees for their time and encouraging the Macquarie Park community to get involved:
“Connect MPID embodies the spirit of collaboration needed to help take our area forward. Your vision and your participation will be critical. To define what you hope success will look like, you’ll need to be part of the conversation."
“You’re invited to join us at our shared table, and to take an active role in creating new places and spaces for new ideas, new innovation and new jobs in Macquarie Park.”
