The Macquarie Park night-time economy is an untapped resource

The potential scope and scale of a night-time economy at Macquarie Park could dwarf those closer to the CBD. Sticking around outside normal business hours would also ease peak hour traffic flows and create cultural and financial windfalls.

Corina Seeto and Joanne Taranto at The Governor Hotel in Macquarie Park. Picture: Carmela Roche.

THERE are not many suburbs with the magical ingredients as Macquarie Park — a national park, a business park of global significance, a world-class university and hospital, colleges, institutions and media organisations.

If any suburb is going to face the future with optimism, vision and excitement, it is Macquarie Park.

One untapped resource is its night-time economy. The recent opening of the Governor Hotel, imminent launch of Venture Cafe and numerous exciting local activities are pointing the way.

The potential scope and scale of a night-time economy could dwarf those closer to the CBD.

Sticking around outside normal business hours would ease peak hour traffic flows and create cultural and financial windfalls.

An artist’s impression of plans for Lachlan's Line at Macquarie Park.

Imagine hi-tech experience centres, with indoor fitness challenges combining fitness and leisure, virtual reality and team-building; all-ages shared learning spaces, encouraging mentoring and fast-tracking new skills in downtime; National Park nocturnal wildlife tours; forums where groups of people who share the same values as the host company can connect and collaborate on special projects, apply thinking to problems and celebrate at world-class dining facilities.

Social media can facilitate flash-mob style meetups simply by identifying willing people, picking a theme and broadcasting the time and place. This can mean pop-up festivals, giving everyone who attended an adrenaline rush, a feeling of exclusivity and more Instagram photos than their feeds can handle.

Macquarie Park has become a tech hub.

Stefan Sojka is a past President of Macquarie Park Chamber of Commerce (now Riverside Business Chamber).

At these events, cross-pollination between commercial, government, education and non-profit sectors becomes the norm. Each new initiative in the night-time economy creates opportunities for catering, entertainment and support services.

Companies with innovation in their DNA; 3M, Ecolab, Hyundai and local innovators Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and Flex Agency, congregate in the Park and partner on numerous levels with the community, Macquarie Uni, a visionary Council, town planners and politicians to advocate for a sustainable, healthy, exciting and prosperous local all-hours international lifestyle, anchored in the nature that surrounds us.

For a thriving night-time economy, bursting with confidence, Macquarie Park is the natural choice.

● Stefan Sojka is past president of Macquarie Park Chamber of Commerce (now Riverside Business Chamber) and creator of Thriving Communities events