By NSW Premier Mike Baird @MikeBairdMP
The population of Sydney is growing and we are looking forward to making sure we can accommodate for the increasing demands on our road and public transport links, health services and schools. We’re also increasing housing supply, and as part of that plan we’re ensuring any new homes are built are close to transport and services.
One such plan is our vision for Western Sydney’s Camellia Precinct.
We want to transform the industrial wasteland that lies on the Parramatta River just three kilometres from the Parramatta CBD into an active, vibrant and safe new waterfront suburb. The vision we have is to regenerate the area’s natural assets to create a clean and healthy environment. It will be a sustainable and liveable place with waterfront parks and a riverfront promenade for the community to enjoy, while being located close to jobs and services.
We are developing the plan with Parramatta City Council to make sure transport options and road upgrades are considered, as well as cycleways, parks, shopping hubs and other services that will be needed for the new community.
The community can now have its say on the plan by visiting: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/camellia
To other news, it was good to meet with the Global CEO of Chinese multinational networking and telecommunications company Huawei, Mr Ken Hu, during his visit to Sydney this week. Mr Hu and I were asked to officially open the company’s new $30 million National Training and Innovation Centre based at Chatswood, which will allow Huawei’s partners and customers to learn how to use and access the company’s information communication technology equipment and software.
There’s a strong market for new technologies in NSW and I welcome this investment and commitment to creating a better ICT sector in this state. The new centre will dramatically increase the number of people able to be trained on the latest ICT products. I also welcome Huawei’s promise to provide training for TAFE and university students, which will ensure we have the talent needed to make the most of the ICT innovation and shape our future economy.
Huawei is based in China’s Guangdong Province and NSW and Guangdong share a 36-year Sister State relationship that has flourished in recent times so the company’s decision to establish a training and innovation centre in Sydney is an example of the strength of that relationship – and I look forward to welcoming continued investment from our key markets into the future.
Finally, we have a great culture of innovation in this state and have many great scientists and engineers, many of whom have been behind cutting edge research that has led to economic, health, environmental, social and technological benefits for NSW.
These achievements deserve to be recognised and celebrated and I encourage anyone to enter or nominate someone for this year’s inaugural Premier’s Prizes for Science and Engineering.
Up to $100,000 in prizes will be awarded as part of these awards, including $55,000 for the NSW Scientist of the Year. For more information please visit: http://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/premiersprizes
