The ideas behind Sydney’s Tech Central and the location for the precinct have been around now for over six years. The initial announcement by the NSW Government In August 2018 stated its commitment to create a globally competitive innovation and technology precinct. Further details were provided in the Eastern City District Plan and in greater detail in a place strategy published in February 2019 by the Greater Sydney Commission under the working title of the Camperdown Ultimo Collaboration Area.
On 29 November 2021, the precinct was re-launched by the NSW Government as “Tech Central – “Australia’s Innovation Engine”.
A new plan for the precinct will be released in the coming months by the NSW Government and this describes a city district of six square kilometres bordered by Haymarket, Camperdown, and South Eveleigh. According to the plan, the district will include housing, transport links, and “vibrant” dining and entertainment options.
The measures announced just before Christmas 2024 include:
- The development of a Tech Central Strategy in order to achieve the stated economic and social benefits and outcomes of the district. Investment NSW will lead the development of the strategy in collaboration with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and Transport for NSW.
- The transition and the relocation of the Sydney Startup Hub to Tech Central. Key drivers for this are the processes of collaboration between founders, entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and the entire innovation ecosystem, together with local universities and research institutes.
- Specialist support within Investment NSW will drive investment and activity at Tech Central. Investment NSW will be responsible for attracting investment and talent into Tech Central, facilitating better coordination between startups, research institutes, and universities, and ensuring alignment of existing and future NSW Government programs with district residents’ needs.
The NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong has said: “Tech Central hosts the largest tech innovation ecosystem in the country. We are proud of Tech Central being Sydney’s heart of innovation, but there is potential for it to be much more. Specialist support within Investment NSW will scale existing work in investment attraction, brand promotion, and community building to improve the district’s economic potential”.
The precinct also has a key technology driver as it will be anchored by Atlasssian’s 39-storey plyscraper which has been “in the works” over the five years. Quoted In “The Australian” Atlassian CEO and co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes has welcomed the new plans:
“So many great tech companies have been born in Australia, but this journey is infinitely easier when you have a strong community around you. That’s why Atlassian is such a big supporter of Tech Central – the new home for our technology industry,”
Along with the presence of global tech giants and unicorns such as Atlassian, Canva, SafetyCulture and Rokt, Tech Central has a natural agglomeration of businesses in digital technology and deep tech, creative and gaming, as well as Medical & Biotech businesses. In addition, Tech Central has offers access locally to over 160,000 students and over 150 research institutes and centres of excellence.
To find out more about Tech Central visit: https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/innovation/precincts/tech-central/
