Parramatta: An ideal location for SBS

The Albanese government has commissioned a feasibility study into whether SBS should move to western Sydney. In a recent council meeting, Parramatta’s Lord Mayor Donna Davis called on SBS to move its headquarters from its current Artarmon home, into Sydney’s second city.

Lord Mayor Davis cited Parramatta’s position as a growing city, and the geographical heart of Sydney with significant linguistic and cultural diversity, as to why the broadcaster should relocate to Parramatta.

The push comes after the ABC recently announced it would relocate 300 of its television, radio and news staff to Parramatta, from its Ultimo head office to 6-8 Parramatta Square by 2024.

Lord Mayor Davis said at a recent launch event, “Our position as the geographical centre of Greater Sydney means we are a connected city. We’re vibrant and we're alive.

“We're also a city of big thinkers full of ambition, creating world-class centres of excellence in education and innovation. Our cultural fabric also sets us apart. The essence of our city is its people,” Councillor Davis said.
 

Ideas, culture, stories and identify

For 60,000 years Parramatta has been a place of exchange, commerce and innovation, and will continue this role well into the future. It is built on ancient roots and draws people from across the globe, creating a unique mix of people. The City’s sports, dining, entertainment and cultural offerings add to the vibrancy. 

As the oldest inland European settlement in Australia, built on the land of the Burramattagal people, a clan of the Dharug, Parramatta's heritage sites are an important part of Australia’s history. Here, stories from all corners of Australia have been told for generations and will continue to be told for generations to come.

“Parramatta is a fascinating mosaic of ideas, culture, stories and identities that offer opportunities for all. Our unique history is one of migration from all corners of the globe. The waves of migration are reflected in our street names, landmarks, religious institutions and our ethos,” said Councillor Davis.
 

Culturally diverse and educated

Parramatta’s population is made up of emerging talent. The population is younger, more educated and more culturally and linguistically diverse than in other parts of NSW and Australia.  This potentially provides SBS with access to a diverse and educated talent pool.

“Today, our residents speak more than 140 languages. Around 56.7 per cent of households speak multiple languages. Our city boasts and embraces a diversity of cultural background, thought of ability, gender and religious belief,” said Councillor Davis.

The residents of Parramatta are highly educated with access to nine university campuses, colleges and graduate schools. Parramatta boasts the second highest number of PhDs per capita in the Sydney area, and nearby Westmead has the most women with postgraduate degrees in NSW. While 52 per cent of Parramatta’s residents attending university and vocational education are mature-age students.

“Having headquarters in Parramatta will open the door to greater Sydney's five million plus population, all of whom will be within 30 minutes travel time to our CBD by 2030. All roads and metro lines really do lead to Parramatta, and I challenge any other council to be able to say the same. Parramatta is the destination of the now and the future to live, to work, to study, and to visit.” - Lord Mayor Donna Davis

Parramatta is connected

Parramatta is connected to the rest of Australia via its transport links but also its diverse community, and business networks. If it locates in Parramatta, SBS will have easy access to move in and out of the area with ease, as well as close connections with residents, visitors and businesses.

“Having headquarters in Parramatta will open the door to greater Sydney's five million plus population, all of whom will be within 30 minutes travel time to our CBD by 2030. All roads and metro lines really do lead to Parramatta, and I challenge any other council to be able to say the same. Parramatta is the destination of the now and the future to live, to work, to study, and to visit,” said Councillor Davis.

The area is well connected with a range of public transport options, active transport alternatives, and an extensive road network. As part of its growth as an accessible place to work, the new light rail will open in 2023, and the Metro West is also under construction.

“With considerable transformation occurring across the LGA, there’s ample opportunity for SBS to locate in one of several urban renewal precincts, that can accommodate a multipurpose space for content creation and public use,” said Councillor Davis.

“Our city's cultural capital is already drawing the ABC and cultural industry leaders. They want to be here so they can be closer to a huge multicultural audience, the future leaders of the country. They can see what the potential is for this unique city. SBS holds a unique place in the Australian media landscape. It aims to inspire all Australians to explore, respect and celebrate a diverse world and contribute to an inclusive and cohesive society.

“The city of Parramatta has similar goals, making it an ideal future home for Australia's most diverse broadcaster. With so much going on, Parramatta is undoubtedly the most desirable future home for Australia's most diverse, multilingual, multi-platform media organisation,” concluded Councillor Davis.