The City of Ryde has broken tradition and held a Committee of the Whole meeting outside of Council Chambers. The event, which was held at the Eden Garden Centre in April, was well received by the community, with some
75 local business representatives and residents attending.
They heard important reports focusing on the sustainable development of Macquarie Park Corridor and how the precinct sits within the New South Wales Metropolitan Strategy.
Reports ranged from economic development, planning controls and floodplain management for the Macquarie Park area, to opportunities that will be created when three new stations open on the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link during this year.
Located in North Ryde, Eden Gardens and Gardens Centre is an innovative gardening complex combining display gardens, a café, garden centre and more.
City of Ryde General Manager, Michael Whittaker, said the gardens were an appropriate location for the important meeting.
“Not only is it one of the most entrepreneurial business sites in this booming precinct, but its striking design is indicative of the development qualities we want to attract to this area,” he said.
Macquarie Park has been identified in Sydney’s Metropolitan Strategy as one of four State significant areas. The 200 hectare development is a specialised employment centre and already home to some of Australia’s top 100 companies, particularly in the fields of pharmaceuticals, health and information technology and telecommunications. It is also the home of two leading research/education institutions – Macquarie University and the CSIRO.
By 2050 the projected floor space of the precinct is expected to grow to 2.5 million square metres, a space equal to that of the Sydney CBD.
The City of Ryde’s Economic Development program will increase jobs and investment attraction to the area, improve economic competitiveness, collaborate the three levels of government and other stakeholders, and provide a creative, positive environment to benefit residents and business.
“The challenge for Council is to refine our development and planning controls as the area expands,” Michael Whittaker said. “To continue the creation of a clean, cohesive, well serviced and attractive precinct, we need policies that are visionary and flexible.
“We believe our holistic and consultative approach will attract both large and small business development as well as residential growth.”
For further information on the Macquarie Park development contact Lee Kirkland at Ryde City Council on (02) 9952 8083.
