Macquarie Park
Sydney, Australia
AUSTRALIA’S ORIGINAL INNOVATION DISTRICT
Mayor’s message
Macquarie Park is a dynamic hub of research, development and innovation, and is one of the largest commercial precincts in New South Wales.
Within the City of Ryde, you will find a skilled workforce, leading education providers, world-class research centres and a flourishing cultural landscape. However, what makes the City unique is the spirit of collaboration across businesses, academia and all levels of government. This unified approach will be key as the City of Ryde transitions to a net zero economy. With complex challenges, like climate change, come significant opportunities for innovation, transformation and growth. The advancement of clean technologies and sustainable solutions within local business ecosystems, be it in energy, transport, manufacturing or the built environment, will aid future economic development and build the City’s resilience. An increased focus on the region’s net zero economy will help retain existing businesses and attract new investment to Macquarie Park, which will positively impact employment and education within the City of Ryde.
As the City of Ryde’s first popularly elected mayor, I am committed to working alongside both our local and global businesses, communities and partners to ensure a consequential net zero transition that will benefit our students, workers and innovators for generations to come.
Trenton Brown City of Ryde Mayor
Chief Executive Officer’s message
Macquarie Park is Australia’s original innovation district.
As a hub of ingenuity and home to leading businesses across high-growth industries, Macquarie Park is the ideal environment for forward-thinking businesses to succeed. With its prime location, diverse economy, global connections, specialist talent and culture of innovation, Macquarie Park stands out from other commercial precincts in Australia.
Macquarie Park is well-positioned to tackle the global challenges that climate change poses, with Macquarie University conducting industry-leading research in areas like smart green cities, transforming energy markets and sustainable energy. Local businesses can take advantage of the cutting-edge research taking place at Macquarie Park’s reputable educational institutions and tap into the technical skills needed to activate the net zero economy.
We offer a streamlined service to businesses looking to explore growth opportunities within Macquarie Park, through our City of Ryde Economic Development Concierge. We have in-house experts in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport and the built environment who can provide practical support to organisations as they navigate the net zero transition. Our strategic priority is to enable businesses in the area to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices, improve efficiency, save money and develop resilience for the future.
The City of Ryde Council is committed to securing investment in sustainable infrastructure, transport, technology, the built environment and business development, which will ensure that the City and Macquarie Park continue to thrive as places to live, work, play and innovate for years to come. The City of Ryde takes pride in being a place where lifestyle and opportunity is at your doorstep.
Wayne Rylands City of Ryde Chief Executive Officer
Invest in New South Wales
Australia’s largest state economy
The economy in New South Wales is larger than Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, and the state is primed to become a renewable energy and clean technology global powerhouse.
Australia New South Wales
13th largest economy in the world
27m+ population
18 free trade agreements (FTAs)
Sydney
#1 top-ranked start-up ecosystem in the Southern Hemisphere
4th top city globally for entrepreneurial success
7th most sustainable global city (Sustainable Cities Index)
31% share of national output
61% share of all capital raised in Australia
36% of generated electricity from renewable sources
Macquarie Park
70%+
office stock is prime grade (largest proportion across NSW)
2nd largest commercial district in NSW
10+ of the world’s top 200 companies headquartered here
A hub of net zero investment
What is net zero?
New South Wales offers a range of investment opportunities across the net zero economy.
Net zero emissions are achieved when there is an overall balance between the anthropogenic (human-generated) emissions released from greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the anthropogenic GHG emissions removed from the atmosphere.
Anthropogenic GHG emissions
Anthropogenic removals
Current state: Imbalanced between anthropogenic sources of emissions and sinks resulting in a net accumulation of GHG emissions in the atmosphere
Anthropogenic GHG emissions
Anthropogenic GHG emissions
Anthropogenic removals
Desired state: A state in which anthropogenic emissions of GHGs to the atmosphere are balanced by anthropogenic removals
Anthropogenic carbon removals
Net Zero Emissions (Pineda et al, 2020)
Why is net zero necessary?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the peak scientific body on climate change, states that ‘climate change represents an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to human societies and the planet’.
To avoid the most severe impacts of climate change, the Paris Agreement declares that the increase in global temperature needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. To ensure the 1.5°C increase is not exceeded, global emissions must reduce by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
Net zero investment opportunities
Reaching net zero emissions by 2050 is a global challenge, but it also creates opportunities for the development of new technologies and solutions across a number of sectors, including:
Electricity innovation and renewable energy
Green hydrogen
Battery and critical minerals ecosystem
Sustainable transport
Sustainable finance
Net Zero Economy Authority
Advanced manufacturing
Circular economy
Built environment
Agriculture and natural capital
The goal of the Australian Government’s Net Zero Economy Authority is to ensure a just net zero transition for Australia, its regions, workers, communities and industries. Its functions consist of:
• Facilitating investment – accelerating investment in new industries and jobs
• Supporting workers – helping workers impacted by decarbonisation to transition into new areas
• Coordinating policy – managing the design and delivery of policies and programs needed for an orderly net zero economic transition
• Promoting communication and engagement – building community understanding, engagement and confidence in Australia’s net zero economic transformation
Net Zero Industry and Innovation Investment Plan
The NSW Government’s Net Zero Industry and Innovation Investment Plan details the following areas of investment opportunities within the region:
• Clean technology innovation – supporting the development and continued innovation of emerging clean technologies through investment in research institutes, start-ups and commercial trials
• High emitting industries – fast-tracking the reduction of emissions within mining and manufacturing
• Low carbon industries – laying the foundations for new industries through investment in supply chains, clean manufacturing precincts (CMPs), renewable energy, hydrogen, low carbon fuels and low carbon minerals
DID YOU KNOW
The NSW Government is investing $55 million into developing CMPs in two of the state’s largest industrial regions, Hunter and Illawarra, to accelerate their shift towards decarbonisation and the adoption of innovative clean technologies.
Net Zero Commission
Independent expert advice to guide the transition to net zero and adaptability to climate change
NSW is committed to a sustainable and predictable path towards net zero emissions. All net zero initiatives and climate change actions are reported on and measured by the NSW Government’s Net Zero Commission, who also:
• Monitor and report on the State’s progress towards emissions reduction and climate resilience. This transparency helps stakeholders reduce risk and align with NSW goals
• Provide legislative support, expert advice on climate strategies, and recommendations for various net zero plans and policies to ensure a predictable policy environment
• Provide sector-specific guidance to assist opportunity and risk assessments.
How can we help?
City of Ryde can assist through investor concierge services by;
• Supporting policy advocacy issues
• Establishing working groups
• Supporting local initiatives towards net zero, thereby backing investor alignment.
? DID YOU KNOW
Climate change information is a critical foundation to enable adaptation planning. In August 2024, the NSW Government released updated NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) projections for two future greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The release of these projections –known as NARCliM2.0 – was a major milestone and one that places NSW at the forefront of climate change information internationally.
Macquarie University Incubator. Photo source: Chris Stacey.
Sustainability Advantage
A sustainable business is one that adopts business practices that do not negatively impact the environment, the economy or society in general. The Sustainability Advantage scheme is one of a number of initiatives put in place by the NSW Government to support sustainable businesses. The scheme helps medium and large organisations to:
• Accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices
• Embed sustainability into existing practices
• Improve efficiency through reducing waste, as well as resource, energy and water use
• Set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions
• Cultivate networks to solve sustainability challenges
The delivery of positive outcomes by members of the Sustainability Advantage scheme is recognised though the awarding of Bronze, Silver and Gold Partners.
Australia New South Wales
$399m Government investment into Net Zero Economy Authority
$1bn NSW Government commitment to accelerate clean technology development
$17.3m Government commitment to promote private investment in sustainable activities
$360m state investment into delivering Net Zero Industry and Innovation Investment Plan
Leading
the way in
sustainable energy
New South Wales is well-positioned to be a global leader in the green energy market.
With its natural resources, advanced supply chains, integrated infrastructure, skills pipeline, research expertise and supportive government policies, NSW is one of the world’s top places for sustainable energy investment. The abundance of sun and wind all year round in NSW makes it an ideal location for the generation of renewable energy.
Brighte, a sustainable energy technology platform, is an example of a climate fintech company that began and grew in Sydney.
Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap
The Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap details how the NSW Government plans to future-proof the state’s electricity system over the next 20 years, through coordinating investment in transmission, generation, storage and firming infrastructure.
Delivering the Roadmap is already underway, and the plans will support the private sector to deliver at least:
12 GW of new renewable electricity generation, such as wind and solar
2 GW of long-duration storage, such as pumped hydro and batteries
Renewable Energy Zones
The development of Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) is a key pillar of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. REZs are the equivalent of modern-day power stations and combine new renewable energy infrastructure, including generators, with storage facilities and high-voltage transmission infrastructure.
Through capitalising on economies of scale, REZs will deliver affordable, reliable and clean electricity to residents and businesses in NSW.
There are at least five REZs planned for NSW, and these include:
• Central-West Orana REZ
• New England REZ
• Hunter-Central Coast REZ
• Illawarra REZ
• South West REZ
Leading the Charge: City of Ryde’s pioneering renewable energy initiative
The City of Ryde Council leads in renewable energy, sourcing 100 percent of its operational electricity from three solar farms in regional NSW. This is part of Australia’s largest local government power purchasing agreement, involving 24 NSW councils and valued at over $180 million for 214 gigawatt-hours of energy.
~40% of electricity supply from renewables
$65m+ investment into renewable energy capacity
$225bn estimated value of green hydrogen project pipeline
13.5GW+ renewable energy generation capacity
$37bn private investment generated over next decade by renewable energy transition
$3bn in incentives to develop green hydrogen
Australia
New South Wales
Macquarie Park Innovation District, Sydney
Why Macquarie Park?
Macquarie University.
Photo source: Joanne Stephan.
destination of choice
Macquarie Park is a thriving destination that is unique in its offering of a strategic location and a global business ecosystem, as well as access to the specialist skills needed to activate the net zero economy.
• Macquarie Park is located 13km from Sydney’s CBD. It is easily accessible by public transport from the CBD, via train, bus or the Sydney Metro North West Line.
• Access to major arterial roads, like the M2 and Lane Cove Tunnel, helps to connect the area to other parts of the City, including international gateways.
• Macquarie Park’s A-grade and B-grade buildings continue to offer more affordable rental options than other markets in Greater Sydney.
Average travel time from Macquarie Park (by car):
• Sydney CBD – 25 minutes
• Sydney Airport – 35 minutes
• Western Sydney Airport – 50 minutes
• The City of Ryde Council is committed to net zero emissions by 2035 and is supporting the community to meet net zero emissions by no later than 2040.
• The City of Ryde Council is powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
• The Macquarie Park Bus Depot will be the first purpose-built battery electric bus depot to be delivered as part of the Zero Emissions Buses Program from the NSW Government.
• Macquarie Park is a hub of sustainable building development, one example being 11 Khartoum Road in the MPark Precinct, which is an A-grade workplace building targeting 6 Star GBCA Green Star and 5 Star NABERS ratings.
• Macquarie Park is the closest commercial precinct of scale to the Hunter and Central Coast regions of NSW, where planning is in progress to deliver the Hunter-Central Coast REZ. The area has a population of more than one million people.
• The Port of Newcastle is a two-hour drive away, where the development of a Clean Energy Precinct is underway that will see the area become the state’s hydrogen hub.
• Macquarie Park is home to a diverse range of businesses, including those making sustainable advancements in technology, electric vehicles, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
• The area’s dynamic ecosystem of innovation and research attracts both established and start-up companies to the area.
• Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has a strong presence across NSW, including its existing relationships with MQ and businesses operating in Macquarie Park.
• Macquarie Park is home to one of Australia’s top 10 universities, Macquarie University (MQ).
• The university has helped the area become a worldclass destination for R&D, through its academic and industry partnerships.
• Vocational education institutions like TAFE NSW and other leading universities, such as UTS and UNSW Sydney, are a short commute from Macquarie Park and have helped create a pipeline of specialist talent for local businesses to tap into.
• Macquarie Park exemplifies the City of Ryde’s vision to be a place where lifestyle and opportunity is at your doorstep.
• There is an abundance of amenities, green spaces, recreational facilities, retail options and dining spots for residents, workers and visitors alike.
• One of the Council’s priorities is to provide highquality housing options in Macquarie Park, to reduce the community’s reliance on personal vehicles to commute.
• The area is home to the expansive Lane Cove National Park and the Macquarie Centre, one of the largest shopping centres in Sydney.
Global hub of innovation
High standard of living World-class talent
Experience innovation on a global scale
Macquarie Park is Sydney’s premier innovation district, built on the foundations of a combined education and employment campus.
Covering nearly 7km2 within the City of Ryde local government area, Macquarie Park is one of Australia’s largest non-CBD office markets. It is a hub of global innovation and business activity, with more than 10 of the world’s top 200 companies based here.
Macquarie Park is home to leading organisations across a significant number of business clusters.
Medical and pharmaceutical
• AstraZeneca
• Johnson & Johnson
• Abbott
• Sanofi
• Novartis
• Medtronic
• Biogen
• Cochlear
Transport and automotive
• Transport for NSW
• Genesis Motors Australia
• Hyundai
• Volvo
• Kia
• BYD
Digital and technology
• Siemens
• Oracle
• Honeywell
• Schneider Electric
• Meridian IT Australia
• Hubify
• Canon
• FUJIFILM
• Konica Minolta
• Philips
• Panasonic
• Aristocrat
• Memjet
Media, telecommunications and research
• Optus
• Universal Media Co
• Nielsen
• Ericsson
• Foxtel
• NEXTDC Data Centres
• Macquarie Telecom Data Centres
?
DID YOU KNOW
Macquarie Park is the number one postcode for intellectual property registrations in Australia.
?
DID YOU KNOW
Australia’s first hydrogen refuelling station for cars was opened by Hyundai at its Australian headquarters in Macquarie Park in 2015. Since then, Hyundai has installed an integrated hydrogen production, storage and refuelling station system on the premises.
Manufacturing and logistics
• Procter & Gamble Australia
• 3M
• BAE Systems
• Raytheon Australia
• BOC
• Ecolab Australia
• Hasbro
• CHEP
Hydrogen Fuelling station – Hyundai.
Be part of a sustainabilityfocused community Organisations in Macquarie Park can benefit from being part of a forward-thinking network of other businesses and the City of Ryde Council.
The City of Ryde is a local government leader in Net Zero initiatives, having:
• Declared a Climate Emergency in 2019.
• Developed a Sustainable Transport Strategy.
• Established a Net Zero Emissions Pathway to achieve Net Zero by 2035, surpassing State and Federal targets.
• Achieved 100% renewable energy in 2022.
• Partnered with the Electric Vehicle Council to support the transition to electric vehicles.
• Enhanced operations with low carbon materials, collaborating with the business community.
• Electrified fleet vehicles and assets to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
Spotlight on electric vehicles
Key players in the electric vehicle (EV) space are located in Macquarie Park, such as:
• Hyundai – committed to phasing out internal combustion engines by 2040
• Kia – goal is to be the world’s leading EV brand and provider of sustainable mobility solutions
• Genesis Motors Australia – offers a range of all-electric vehicles
• BYD – global leader in the manufacturing of passenger battery EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs
In partnership with the City of Ryde Council, the Australian Electric Vehicle Council has launched a comprehensive guide to help local councils lead the transition to electric vehicles and support uptake in their communities.
Hyundai Mighty Electric truck. Electric vehicle charging station.
Access world-class specialist skills
Businesses based in Macquarie Park can tap into an established local network of skilled technology professionals.
The quality of the local talent is unmatched. The majority of people with a qualification in Sydney are qualified to a bachelor degree level, graduate diploma level or higher (51 percent), and this increases to 63 percent in the City of Ryde.
There is a diverse range of talent in the City of Ryde and NSW, more generally, which enables local businesses to access and prosper in overseas markets. The thriving international communities in the City of Ryde help to create a vibrant and supportive environment for those relocating to the area.
YOU KNOW
275 languages spoken across NSW
78 languages spoken in the City of Ryde
Language spoken at home, 2021
(top 10 largest in 2021)
The City of Ryde has a higher concentration of employment in professional, scientific and technical services (12.5 percent), compared to the average for Sydney (11.6 percent).
~50% of the City’s population speak a language other than English at home ? DID
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2021 (Usual residence data). Compiled and presented in profile .id by .id (informed decisions)
Establish a pipeline of future talent
?
DID YOU KNOW
NSW is home to four of the world’s top 200 universities, including Macquarie University.
Macquarie Park is home to one of Australia’s top 10 universities, Macquarie University, and two campuses belonging to Australia’s leading vocational education and training provider, TAFE NSW.
Macquarie University
Macquarie University (MQ) offers hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across a variety of disciplines.
Sustainability is at the core of MQ’s ethos, with ‘Secure Planet’ being one of its five research priorities. The University has partnered with Tata Consultancy Services to launch the TCS GoZero Hub, which informs and empowers organisations to reach their net zero goals through the Hub’s research, innovation and solutions.
MQ is one of Australia’s highest-ranking research institutions, with 100 percent of its research rated at world standard or above. Its quality research has been internationally recognised, including the work taking place at the Smart Green Cities Research Centre and the Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre.
TAFE NSW
TAFE NSW has industry-qualified and experienced educators who bring practical and real-world learning into the classroom. Macquarie Park hosts two TAFE NSW campuses:
TAFE NSW Ryde – an internationally-renowned centre for specialist training in horticulture and environmental management, as well as hospitality and tourism.
TAFE NSW Meadowbank – a technologyfocused campus that is home to the Multi-Trades and Digital Technology Hub, which delivers industry-focused training, and IAT Digital, with its courses designed by trusted industry and educational experts.
?
DID YOU KNOW
The team at MQ’s Sustainable Energy Research Centre has developed an engineered bacteria that can convert renewable feedstocks, such as cane sugar, to hydrogen gas with minimal by-products. The gas produced can be funnelled into a hydrogen fuel cell that generates electricity.
Macquarie University.
Photo source: Adam Scarf.
Supporting investment into Macquarie Park
Our strategic focus is to attract new investment to the City, particularly to Macquarie Park, while also retaining and supporting the economic growth of our existing businesses of all sizes, operating across a broad range of industries.
Attracting and retaining businesses in the City of Ryde is focused on:
• Reducing the risks of doing business here
• Reducing the cost of doing business here
• Creating opportunities for economic activity and growth
To realise the above, we work closely with key government, academic, industry and community stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions. These solutions, in turn, demonstrate why the City of Ryde and Macquarie Park are attractive options for those looking to invest.
We seek to be a stakeholder’s first point of contact when doing business here. We listen to the needs of organisations and investors and can connect them with our partners across:
Government
• Investment NSW
• Austrade Academia
• Macquarie University
• TAFE NSW
• Educational providers located outside of the City Industry
• Fellow businesses
• Supply chain partners
• Business Renewables Centre
Australia (marketplace platform for corporate renewable PPAs)
• Industry peak bodies
• International partners
Community
• Local community groups
• Sporting clubs
• Chambers of commerce
Sustainability support
We support organisations of all sizes in exploring pathways to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and build resilience for the future. Our team provides high-level assistance through targeted business workshops, curated sustainability and resilience resources on Council’s Business and Economic Development webpages, and regular updates via our business e-newsletter.
For example, we can guide businesses to relevant sustainable design and efficiency tools to help improve their operations and buildings.
Electric vehicle charging station.
Site identification and development
Macquarie Park and the surrounding region has a variety of sites available for businesses to move into immediately, with options including laboratories, warehousing and new A-grade commercial buildings.
We support new businesses moving into the City, by putting them in touch with real estate agents, developers, architects and collaborators working within Macquarie Park.
Network and familiarisation visits
We curate bespoke tours of Macquarie Park to ensure visitors feel welcomed and informed about what the area has to offer, particularly in relation to economic, investment and trade opportunities.
The tours can include:
• Engagement with like-minded companies
• Engagement with faculties and researchers at Macquarie University
Glossary
Term Definition
Austrade Australian Trade and Investment Commission
CBD Central business district
CMPs Clean manufacturing precincts
CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
EV Electric vehicle
FTAs Free trade agreements
GBCA Green Building Council of Australia
GHG Greenhouse gas
GW Gigawatt
IAT Institute of Applied Technology
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
MQ Macquarie University
NABERS National Australian Built Environment Rating System
NSW New South Wales
PPAs Power purchase agreements
R&D Research and development
REZ Renewable energy zone
TAFE Teaching and further education
TCS Tata Consultancy Services
UNSW University of New South Wales
UTS University of Technology Sydney
References List of references can be provided upon request.
Images in this document have been taken by Council staff, professional photographers and supplied with permission from Macquarie University.