GOOGLE PULLS OUT OF 10,000 SYDNEY JOBS HQ

GOVERNMENT REJECTS PLANS FOR NEW GOOGLE HQ IN SYDNEY

Norwest Business Park, Parramatta, Westmead and Macquarie Park have all been tipped as potential sites for the headquarters — with Norwest Assocation representative and Mulpha general manager Tim Spencer claiming the smart city would be the perfect location, “because it is already a technology hub for over 800 businesses”.

“Norwest offers an organisation like Google the option to purchase a whole precinct and house several thousand workers together in a purpose-designed space,” Mr Spencer told the Times.

“The established workforce there provides an instant network for knowledge sharing — companies like Google will have access to a tech-savvy talent pool in an environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne said the region would welcome the addition of Google’s headquarters to Norwest with open arms.

“Not only would it be a boost to our local economy but would also create thousands of high tech jobs for the future right here in our back yard,” Cr Byrne said.

“It would also create further opportunities for our residents to work close to home without having to commute to other parts of Sydney.

“Norwest’s strength as a premier business location will be significantly enhanced by the opening of the Sydney Metro North West’s two train stations early next year and proximity to M7 and M2 Motorways - as well as the Western Sydney Airport in the future.

“It would be fantastic to have companies like Google become part of our business community and help put the Hills on the map as the place to do business.”

Sydney Hills Business Chamber president Nigel Rayner championed the Sydney Metro as a drawcard for Norwest.

But Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney director David Borger argued Google should set up shop in the “geographical heart of Sydney”.

“Greater Parramatta, including Westmead, has a strong economy with a core focus on health, education and research institutions,” Mr Borger said.

“With the assistance of private investment and industry collaboration in the fields of biotech, med-tech, allied health and primary care, Westmead will be the leader in innovation, which makes the area an attractive place for Google.

“It also makes sense to cluster high tech and knowledge jobs together and with Westmead quickly becoming a hub of innovation.”

Parramatta Mayor Andrew Wilson said it would make sense for Google to move into one of the fastest growing and most exciting areas in Australia.

“As Sydney’s Central City, Parramatta offers connectivity by road, rail and river, and with

Parramatta Light Rail and commitment for the Sydney West Metro, Parramatta will be one

of the most connected cities in Australia,” Cr Wilson said.  

“Home to Australia’s largest bio-medical precinct at Westmead, three universities and soon MAAS, innovative companies can see the potential in Parramatta as Australia’s next great city.

“Companies located in Parramatta will have access to a young, highly educated and

culturally engaged workforce, and with GDP expected to double in the next five years, opportunities for growth are unlimited.”

Riverside Business Chamber president Tony Abboud said Macquarie Park was already “the Silicon Valley of Australia”, making it the perfect location for Google.

A Google Australia representative said the tech giant was unable to comment on the search for the company’s new home.

Ryde Mayor Jerome Laxale encouraged Google to consider Macquarie Park for their new home.

“I’m sure our community would support all efforts to get more jobs into Macquarie Park, and I’d be willing to do what we can to secure Google’s presence in Ryde,” Cr Laxale said.

“Macquarie Park is already one of Australia’s leading innovation hubs with several world-class businesses already located in the area including Optus, CSIRO and Microsoft, and the addition of Google would only enhance that reputation.”