ABC to set up ‘state of the art’ bureau, but taxpayers won’t pay an extra cent

The national broadcaster has revealed fresh details on its plan to relocate staff to western Sydney from the CBD, including what taxpayers will have to fork out.

Taxpayers won’t fork out any additional funding to relocate 300 ABC staff to Western Sydney, the national broadcaster has told a parliamentary committee. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Taxpayers won’t bear brunt of relocating 300 ABC staff to Western Sydney, the national broadcaster has told a parliamentary committee.

The ABC plans to relocate 300 full time staff to Parramatta from the Ultimo headquarters over the coming two years to be closer to the stories to the fastest growing region in the country.

Managing Director of the ABC, David Anderson, told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works on Tuesday that Australians would not be expected to pay for the relocation.

Instead, the broadcaster would cover its own costs by leasing out floors made vacant at the Ultimo headquarters by the move.

The cost will also be offset by selling the broadcasters’ property on Sydney’s north shore.

“(Parramatta) will be a bureau that is … a template for the ABC of the future. Technology-driven facilities that promote timeliness and excellence in news gathering and storytelling,” Mr Anderson said.

The ABC will relocate 300 staff from Ultimo to western Sydney as part of its strategy to expand its reach. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

If the parliament signs off the relocation and works, the fit-out of Parramatta will commence early next year, with the bureau to be fully operational by 2024.

“We’re very confident that this investment will pay off in a stronger ABC for Australian audiences and the nation,” he said.

Mr Anderson said the decision to move 300 staff to Parramatta was part of the broadcaster’s strategy to have 75 per cent of its content creators based outside of Ultimo over the coming years.

Initially, the Sydney newsroom and Radio Sydney will be based out of Parramatta, as well as the state’s 7pm bulletin; with opportunities for RN and Triple J to relocate as well.

There will be seven “state of the art” audio suites and six video production suites.

“It’s an ideal hub,” Mr Anderson said.

While creating its new Parramatta office, the ABC will simultaneously upgrade its Ultimo headquarters, including creating more workspaces and improving broadcasting spaces.