Macquarie Park: what locals look forward to in 2019

As Macquarie Park’s population and its economy continues to grow, one area has locals wanting more: dining and entertainment. Here is what is being planned for 2019 — and what else locals are keen to see.

Kin By Us owners Max and Ella Xue. Picture: Jordan Shields

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As Macquarie Park’s population and its economy continues to grow, one area has locals wanting more: dining and entertainment.

This year will see seating and lighting upgrades to Wilga Park so it can host evening events as well as the opening of Venture Cafe, an innovation and collaboration hub that will host weekly after work events, in Macquarie University.

The cafe is expected to launch in February, and The City of Ryde hopes the initiative will attract start-ups to the area.

“By operating from 3-8pm every Thursday, the local business community (and its visitors) will also have a reason to stay after their working day has been completed,” a City of Ryde spokesman said.

The spokesman said the council would also explore options this year of how it can “work with the local corporate sector to support them in staging night-time activities that will be of benefit to all who either live or work in Macquarie Park”.

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Ryde business owner Stefan Sojka, who is also a community representative on the City of Ryde’s Macquarie Park Forum, said he would like to see businesses and community organisations teaming up to create initiatives such as pop-up festivals, paddock-to-plate style dining from local food production areas, live music and performances, and social enterprise eateries.

The Governor Hotel’s rooftop bar Ess opened in Macquarie Park in August, adding to the suburb’s night-life options.

Sojka said nearby areas such as Eastwood had year-round food experiences and pop-up festivals because it was a “well established and geographically concentrated cultural and culinary destination”, and Macquarie Park needed to “create/manufacture its own reputation in a strategic manner”.

Asian fusion cafe Kin By Us opened in Macquarie Park in 2013 and owners Max and Ella Xue welcome more food options — even if it means more competition.

“If there were more dining and entertainment businesses around, people living and working around Macquarie Park will have more options,” Mr Xue said.

Max and Ella would welcome new additions to Macquarie Park’s food scene. Picture: Jordan Shields

“Thus when people hang out after work or during weekends, they will be more likely to choose Macquarie Park as their destination instead of go to city for dining and fun.

“As a business owner, this is a double edged blade, more business will draw more customers but it also means more competition. More competition will force us to get better faster.

“My conclusion is that more options for the customer is always better.”