The NSW government is forging ahead with plans for a state-of-the-art research facility at the centre of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis’ growing innovation hub. The announcement of the 13, 000sq m Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF), follows global science agency CSIRO’s plans for an 18, 000sq m facility, which were unveiled earlier this year.
The new facility will feature 3D printers, next generation computing, and interactive spaces purpose built for advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence.
The facility will also draw on experience from one of the UK’s leading research facilities, the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), 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.”
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.
The new facility will be centrally located next to the Aerotropolis’ Civic Centre and the Aerotropolis railway station on the Sydney Metro-Western Sydney Airport line.
Located 50km west of Sydney’s CBD, 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. Three key precincts—the Aerotropolis Core, Northern Gateway and South Creek—were identified by the government as offering the greatest growth potential. 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.
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