Sydney’s newest landmark Tech Central to ‘breathe life’ into the city: Mike Cannon-Brookes

Atlassian co-founder and chief executive Mike Cannon-Brookes has welcomed a mooted ‘refreshed’ strategy by the NSW government for Sydney’s Tech Central innovation precinct.

An artist’s impression of the Tech Central development due to be completed in 2027.

Atlassian co-founder and chief executive Mike Cannon-Brookes has welcomed a mooted “refreshed” strategy from the NSW government for Sydney’s Tech Central innovation precinct, saying it will “breathe life” into the project.

The new plan, set for release in coming months, focuses on not just attracting more tech companies to the city but boosting amenities, including housing and healthcare.

“So many great tech companies have been born in Australia, But this journey is infinitely easier when you have a strong community around you. That’s why Atlassian is such a big supporter of Tech Central – the new home for our technology industry,” Mr Cannon-Brookes told The Australian. “A precinct without people is just buildings, it’s not a community.”

Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes.

Atlassian, which has a market value of $US65.21bn, is building a new 40-storey headquarters at Sydney’s Central Station, becoming the anchor tenant for Tech Central. The $1.4bn development was announced five years ago, before the pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote working and fuelled calls to revitalise CBDs in Australia’s capital cities, and is set to be completed in 2027.

The precinct will act as an incubator for other tech companies, with the aim of aiding Australia’s shift towards a smarter economy.

The NSW government has announced a new plan to support this transition, with the six square kilometre district bordered by Haymarket, Camperdown and South Eveleigh to include housing, transport links and “vibrant dining and entertainment options”. The area is already home to Afterpay owner Block, Canva, Safety Culture and Rokt.

Tech Central’s upgrade is planned for completion in 2027.

But Mr Cannon-Brookes said the NSW government’s plan would “breathe life into Tech Central”.

“For Tech Central to thrive, it needs to be a vibrant part of the city and support work, home and life,” he said.

NSW Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said while Tech Central hosted the “largest tech innovation ecosystem in the country”, there was potential for it to be much more, and the new plan would ensure “alignment of existing and future NSW government programs with district residents’ needs”.

He said a “fresh vision” for Tech Central would establish the district as a “leading place to live and work, and will play a critical role as future driver of NSW government key priorities including housing, healthcare, night-time economy, visitor economy and world-class transport infra­structure”.

“Specialist support within Investment NSW will scale existing work in investment attraction, brand promotion, and community building to improve the district’s economic potential,” he said.

Mr Chanthivong said Investment NSW would be responsible for attracting investment and talent into Tech Central, “facilitating better co-ordination between start-ups, research institutes and universities”.

He said an innovation blueprint would be released in coming months to explore a new accommodation model at Tech Central with the aim of ensuring that the district is a “leading place to live, work and play”.

“We’re also giving NSW start-ups the best chance to flourish by transitioning the Sydney Startup Hub to the heart of Tech Central”.

An artist’s impression of how the Tech Central precinct could look.

Atlassian’s headquarters at Tech Central – designed by New York-based architects SHoP in conjunction with Australian outfit BVN – has incorporated a timber design, becoming the tallest “hybrid” tower in the Southern Hemisphere. It will have a glass and steel facade.

NSW Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Anoulack Chanthivong. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The building will operate on 100 per cent renewable energy and use 50 per cent less carbon in construction than a conventional building.

Atlassian head of real estate Rick Wang said a refreshed strategy was necessary, saying “a lot has changed since we first committed to be the anchor tenant five years ago”.

“A fresh strategy is a sensible approach to realise the vision for the district,” he said.

“By relocating the Startup Hub, the government has reaffirmed that Tech Central will be the centre of gravity for the tech industry in Sydney. Co-locating start-ups near mature tech businesses and investors gives them easy access to expertise, mentoring and finance.

“In the past, scaling technology companies from Australia was difficult. When Mike and Scott (Farquhar) started Atlassian, there was no playbook, and no one to learn from. But we now have Atlassian, Canva, Afterpay and others who’ve built globally significant tech businesses from Sydney. The skills base and the capital available to innovators has improved enormously.”

But Mr Wang said developing a flourishing tech industry was not just about more investment.

“It’s about creating the right environment with the right infrastructure and amenity, marketing the precinct, running events, co-ordinating initiatives and ensuring that we drive the right type of economic activity into that part of the city.”

Originally published as Sydney’s newest landmark Tech Central to ‘breathe life’ into the city: Mike Cannon-Brookes