Werrington Park Corporate Centre to drive new knowledge jobs of the future

Werrington Park opening

UWS Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover, Federal Member for Lindsay Fiona Scott, Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull, Mayor of Penrith Councillor Ross Fowler and UWS Chancellor Professor Peter Shergold. 

The $30 million Werrington Park Corporate Centre has been officially unveiled, bringing with it the promise of high-tech industries, and hundreds – and ultimately thousands – of much-needed knowledge-economy jobs for Sydney's west.

Jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government's Suburban Jobs Program and the University of Western Sydney, Werrington Park Corporate Centre is a partnership between UWS, Penrith City Council and the Penrith Business Alliance.

The building was officially opened by the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Minister for Communications, who was joined by Fiona Scott, Federal Member for Lindsay.

The new Werrington Park Corporate Centre is a five-star Green rated building, providing over 5,500 square metres of commercial office space. In its initial phase it will create approximately 350 to 400 local employment opportunities for Western Sydney – greatly needed in a region where many residents currently commute long distances to work.

Werrington Park interior 

The Werrington Park Corporate Centre is the first step to establishing a 58-hectare business park.

The business park will transform key sections of the University's Werrington South and North campuses into a hub for cutting-edge, internationally competitive science, health and IT companies, and over the next 20 years it will have the capacity to generate 6,000 knowledge jobs.

The University has agreed to terms with a not-for-profit organisation providing services in line with the overall precinct strategy, and is already in advanced discussions with companies to establish their base at Werrington Park, including an Australian-based biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing company.

The opening of the Werrington Park Corporate Centre is a game-changing initiative for Western Sydney and UWS is pleased to be at the heart of it, said UWS Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover. 

"Werrington Park will be a major catalyst for attracting high-tech industry, global investment and state-of-the-art research to Greater Western Sydney," said Professor Glover.

"Not only will it provide Greater Western Sydney's best minds with world-class employment opportunities that are close to home, but its close proximity to Sydney's second airport will see Werrington Park Corporate Centre become a critical driver of innovation for one of Australia's fastest growing and most important economic regions."

The building includes a 'Business Development Incubator' to promote entrepreneurship and provide start-up businesses with cost-effective workspaces, mentoring and support for investment and growth.

Advanced planning is also underway to establish a Western Sydney Science Centre within the broader business park precinct.  Modelled on Canberra's Questacon, the Science Centre will open up possibilities for thousands of young people from Greater Western Sydney to consider a career in science and technology.

 Key facts about Werrington Park Corporate Centre

  • Located between the north-west and south-west growth corridors, the three-storey Werrington Park Corporate Centre is set to become one of the most important hubs for industry, innovation and research in Greater Western Sydney.
  • Werrington Park Corporate Centre will create much-needed knowledge jobs for the people of the region and drive innovation by strengthening ties between the University, its research and local industry.
  • The state-of-the-art building will feature commercial tenants on either side of a bridged, central atrium with floor plates up to 1,930sqm.
  • Along with the Business Development Incubator, Werrington Park will also potentially incorporate a Smart Business Centre, to provide advice to small businesses across the region, with the support of industry and State Government partners.
  • The Werrington Park Building is rated 5 Green Stars and 4 Star NABERS for sustainability, minimising its energy and water use.
  • An atrium café provides a social hub for the building's occupants, and landscaped surrounds enable staff to move about freely and collaborate outside of the fixed office environment.

Ends

17 April 2015

Paul Grocott, Senior Media Officer

By submitting a comment you acknowledge you agree with the Terms and Conditions.