WA launches blueprint for Australia's biggest ICT precinct

The Western Australian government today launched the blueprint for the country's biggest technology precinct exclusively dedicated to the ICT industry.

The goal is to establish Western Australia as an innovation leader and attract ICT investment competing against other states and territories that have undertaken similar initiatives.

WA Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan said the Bentley Technology Precinct would establish Western Australia as a dynamic technology-driven destination and secure its international standing as an innovation leader.

He said the precinct boasted cutting-edge architecture and eco-friendly services.

"It will be Australia's Silicon Valley - but with soul," the Minister said.

"The Bentley Technology Precinct will become a destination where business meets research and research has access to business; where knowledge is shared among companies and partnerships are established.

"The precinct will become a lifestyle, integrating people, business, technology and education within an energetic and vibrant environment.

"Cafes, bars and restaurants will become boardrooms and central, shared facilities will provide mentoring and support for companies at all stages of commercialisation.

"The precinct will be an environment where established businesses can grow and new businesses have opportunities and support to develop, further strengthening the future growth of the state's economy."

The existing 42ha Bentley Technology Park was already one of the biggest in Australia, but will increase seven-fold to create the 314ha ICT precinct.

It will be home to telecommunications, information services and computer gaming companies, as well as companies that service this sector including specialised lawyers, patent specialists and financial houses.

Logan said the state government had committed $8.55million for the initial infrastructure requirements for the long-term project.

He said the precinct would feature one of the fastest transmission networks in Australia, allowing business to interact with others, faster and cheaper.

A $2.2million investment would see the construction of a high-speed fibre network within the existing park that would be linked to the CBD and provide initial connection speeds of one gigabit per second.

It would eventually be expanded to incorporate the whole precinct, with upgrades in connection speeds up to 10 gigabits per second.

Architecture would be complemented with innovative images, as buildings used revolutionary technologies to broadcast messages to people on the streets.

The draft structure plan for the precinct was developed in consultation with the neighbouring Curtin University of Technology, City of South Perth, Town of Victoria Park, government departments, industry, academia, researchers and the community.

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