Today Western Sydney University hosted an "Ideas Lab” event to discuss the Western Sydney Innovation Corridor strategy recently developed and proposed by the University and launched at a joint WSBC WSU event in June earlier this year. 

This strategy seeks to optimize State and Commonwealth planning along with infrastructure and investment commitments in Western Sydney by gathering, activating, and promoting the diverse set of new opportunities within the region. Following the arc of the planned M9 ‘Outer Sydney Orbital’, the Corridor links the region’s currently diffused and developing innovation entities into an interconnected span of knowledge-driven commercial hubs. 

The event included a presentation from Professor Donald McNeill who has written a discussion paper on the Corridor plan. Professor McNeill delivered an analysis of the opportunities the Corridor plan offers along with observations of the key inputs required to activate the initiative including aspects such as innovation culture and the role of science and technology in Western Sydney and also his reflections from his research on how similar concepts around the world have driven regional based innovation. 

A panel discussion followed with experts including: Professor Barney Glover (WSU), Dr Tim Williams (Committee for Sydney), David Borger (Sydney Business Chamber),  Lindy Deitz (Campbelltown City Council) and John Vassallo (Celestino). The panel included a lively discussion that covered issues such as how the Corridor should integrate with other innovation activity in Greater Sydney, what role the new Western Sydney Airport will play in activating the corridor and how Western Sydney needs to “maintain the rage” to ensure the region keeps an appropriate level of focus on its ongoing development from State and Federal governments. Much of the discussion centred around Connectivity and ensuring issues such as fast rail between the new Airport, Parramatta and Sydney CBD remain a focus and pressure is maintained on governments to build these types of infrastructure. 

In live polls taken during the event, the audience identified, Medtech, Science, Agribusiness and Aeronautical Engineering as future industry opportunities for Western Sydney and also a lack of connectivity and government buy-in / political leadership as the highest level risks to the corridor strategy not being realised.

Western Sydney University "Ideas Labs" are forums to identity and discuss issues affecting the region. A white paper will be released outlining the discussions from the event and outcomes of the Lab to inform policy and act as a practical resource for all stakeholders.

For more information contact Ms Angelique Harslett on 0467 763 428

In the meantime you can view the discussion paper here.