RESEARCH FACILITY FOR WESTERN SYDNEY AEROTROPOLIS

The centre of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis’ growing innovation hub will now have a state-of-the-art research facility, according to plans unveiled by NSW Government. The new facility will feature 3D printers, next generation computing, and interactive spaces purpose built for advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence.

Plans for the 13,000sqm Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) were announced following global science agency CSIRO unveiling plans for an 18,000sq m facility earlier this year. The facility will also draw on experience from the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), one of the UK’s leading research facilities, which is a foundation partner at the Aerotropolis.

“We know the Western Parkland City has a bright future as Australia’s home of science, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the AMRF will be a crucial part of that,” Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said.

“The facility will encourage researchers to work collaboratively providing flexible spaces where business, industry and government can test ideas and take them from concept to a reality.”

Centrally located next to the Aerotropolis’ Civic Centre and the Aerotropolis railway station on the Sydney Metro-Western Sydney Airport line, the building is expected to be the catalyst for job creation across the Western Parkland City, which is expected to eventually become home to upwards of 200,000 workers.

Ayres said the state government had commenced conversations with a number of businesses looking to take part in the facility, including several large international companies as well as local Western Sydney manufacturers.

Aerospace manufacturer Quickstep will work with the Western Parkland City Authority to identify opportunities for the planned AMRF, with a view to Quickstep becoming a participant once the facility is operational.

Located 50km west of Sydney’s CBD, Badgerys Creek in western Sydney is currently in the early stages of significant development. The 11,200-hectare precinct will include Sydney’s second international airport as well as ten new precincts that will act as magnets for business, housing and education. The region is projected to grow by more than 300,000 people by 2036.

The Aerotropolis Authority expects to have the agribusiness and manufacturing precincts up and running by the time the airport begins operations in December 2026. Several businesses have already committed to build facilities in the area, including advanced 3D-printing company GE Additive, Australian vitamin and pharmaceutical maker Vitex, along with the Australian Space Agency and 18 SMEs in aerospace.

Japanese company Hitachi also has plans in the works for a new centre in Western Sydney, while defence contractor Northrop Grumman, Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and bank Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group have also committed to the new precinct.

Images via the Urban Developer