“All Change, Macquarie Park!” - The Macquarie Park Summit 2023 wrap
What are Macquarie Park’s unique strengths, what does it need, and what’s next for our area? These were key conversations at Connect MPID’s annual Macquarie Park Summit on Thursday.
Themed “All Change, Macquarie Park!” the 2023 Summit united local business leaders, researchers, innovators and developers with politicians and government agencies to anticipate and prepare for imminent change in our innovation district.
High-level attendees met over drinks in person, connecting with innovators from CSIRO and Macquarie University Incubator before the Summit program commenced.
Chair of Connect MPID, Charlotte Stratton opened the event, setting out the agenda before a unique and rousing Acknowledgement of Country from the Kari Foundation Singers.
The Summit’s tree and plant-filled stage highlighted Macquarie Park’s status as Sydney’s greenest CBD.
Vice Chancellor and President of Macquarie University, Professor S. Bruce Dowton shared updates from campus which are convergent with the needs of a modern innovation district; including the recent opening of DeepTech incubation labs and plans to bring New South Wales’ first RNA pilot and manufacture facility here.
A virtual development ‘flyover’ spotlit Macquarie Park’s workplaces of the future, including:
Macquarie Exchange by Frasers Property Industrial x Winten Property Group
Macquarie University Law School
M_Park by Stockland
Macquarie Square by John Holland
BapistCare NSW & ACT’s Head of Development, Steven Ball, introduced their masterplan to build a unique intergenerational multi-use precinct between Macquarie University campus and Macquarie Park, creating new space to live and work.
Entrepreneur Maja Paleka chaired an engaging ‘fireside chat’ on the role of government in successful innovation districts with Chris Hanger and Wayne Rylands, CEOs at the Greater Cities Commission and City of Ryde respectively, joined by Katrina Avery, Director of Partnerships at Macquarie University.
All photos Katherine Griffiths.
Sharing details of the Federal Government’s new “National Reconstruction Fund”, Federal Member for Bennelong the Hon. Jerome Laxale MP provided a view of ‘Pill Hill’ from ‘Capital Hill’, stating:
“I’d like to recognise the ambition the community in Macquarie Park has for itself, and the collaborative work of Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District in helping to lead that.
It’s clear that Macquarie Park is perfectly placed to grow even further, both in size and significance.
When a community is bold, when it is ambitious, when it is coordinated like Macquarie Park is, it is easy for Government to back it, so that together we can attract further success”
To round out the event, General Manager at Connect MPID Mark Ames presented new data on how the “new normal now” looks for employers in Macquarie Park, including insights on the demographic of local workers, how often they’re coming here and what draws them back to the office.
The Macquarie Park Summit 2023 channeled the spirit of collaboration needed to propel our innovation district forwards, with a high-level turnout in person, plus an online audience from across Australia and beyond.
This unique event is one of many that Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District hosts throughout the year.
Interested in your organisation joining our network? We’d love to hear from you!
