Proponents of the plan will use the lead up to the federal election to call upon the federal and NSW governments – the Parramatta local government authority has come on board already – to raise approximately $70 million for a substantial infrastructure upgrade of the precinct’s public domain.
Securing these funds will lead, in turn, to private-sector investment to raise further the profile of Westmead as a centre of excellence through the creation of more “smart” jobs and additional health services to cater to the substantial population growth in the region, according to the group behind the plan.
A Parramatta City Council initiative has led to the formation of the Westmead Alliance, which comprises, along with council, the major health and research institutions in Westmead.
These are the Western Sydney Local Health District, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, the Westmead Millennium Institute, the Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead Private Hospital and the University of Sydney.
These institutions, through the Westmead Health & Medical Research Precinct – A plan for the future, hope to drive the expansion of national and international life sciences by creating attractive research opportunities for bio-medical companies to locate and expand within the precinct.
“With all eyes on Western Sydney leading up to the federal election in September, we have a unique opportunity to focus attention on the strategic importance of Westmead, “said Professor Roger Riddel, director, of the Children’s Medical Research Institute, at the launch of the plan during Medical Research Week.
