Our Impact | 2021-22 Annual Report

INTRODUCTION

Our Aim

Connect MPID is a unique partnership between leading employers, landowners, Macquarie University and government agencies.

We’re working together to enhance the experience of people who live, work and study in Macquarie Park and North Ryde. Our aim is to increase connection across our innovation district community.

We provide practical resources to our members across five pillars. Our pillars are designed to help our community agree on the vision for our area, accelerate the benefits of growth, and amplify our credentials as a world-leading innovation district.

Combining our impact

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Since 2013 Connect Macquarie Park & North Ryde has worked to increase accessibility, improve amenity and grow Macquarie Park, without growing congestion.

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Macquarie Park Innovation District was established in 2016 to increase collaboration, innovation and commercialisation to drive growth in Macquarie Park.

In 2021, recognising our common goals, Connect and MPID agreed to come together to unify our aims, create value and increase our impact.

Despite the continuing challenges of COVID-19 and Omicron lockdowns, this report shares the impact we made in our first year as the newly amalgamated Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District.

OUR MEMBERS

Connect MPID members and funding partners include two levels of government, landowners, Macquarie University and leading local employers:

Members

Our Affiliates

‘Meet the candidates’ local election hustings

Mac Park is OPEN pop up ice cream

Macquarie Park is OPEN ice cream van

MPEXPO Optus 5G demo

Supporting local cafes during Mac Park is OPEN

MPEXPO Banfield Road

ride2work day competition

2022 Best coffee finalists, Batch ZKK

Filming at Macquarie Exchange

MPEXPO Innovation panelists

The Macquarie Park Summit Greater Sydney Commission

The Macquarie Park Summit Local innovators meet Sanofi

Mac Park is OPEN banners

The Macquarie Park Summit Mayor Jordan Lane

MPEXPO team!

The Macquarie Park Summit Acknowledgement of Country

MPEXPO

The Macquarie Park Summit

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

FINDING THE PATH FORWARD COVID-19 REPORT

In 2020 we surveyed hundreds of employees to understand the immediate impact of COVID-19 on work and travel in Macquarie Park.

One year later - and looking to the future - we asked employees how much flexibility they want, what would bring them back to the office, how they plan to get there and what they think of Macquarie Park now.

Our report, “Finding the path forward: measuring the steps through COVID-19 to economic recovery in Macquarie Park” was published to members first in September 2020.

Packed with timely new data, case studies and local insights, the report revealed:

• Changing sentiments about working from home

• Building a successful hybrid working culture

• Changes to travel, and the impact this will have on your building

• Why Macquarie Park employees want brilliant baristas

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

MACQUARIE PARK IS OPEN

As omicron lockdowns and health restrictions eased, Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District held “Macquarie Park is OPEN” – a campaign of communications resources, events and incentives timed to boost confidence and welcome people back to Macquarie Park.

Members shared our striking “OPEN” artwork across their workplaces, while our partners at the City of Ryde flew the message from smart pole banners across the area.

More than 520 people attended 23 free events – ranging from off-peak yoga to a pop-up ice cream truck.

26 stories were published on Connect MPID’s communications channels, highlighting the amenity Macquarie Park offers including a new gym, Macquarie University Art Gallery and activities at Macquarie Centre.

March / April 2022 saw the most significant in-person return of students and workers to Macquarie Park since the beginning of the global pandemic.

“Macquarie Park is OPEN” was made possible by generous financial and in kind support from the City of Ryde Council.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

THE MACQUARIE PARK SUMMIT

Business leaders, researchers, innovators and developers joined with politicians and government agencies at The Macquarie Park Summit, held at Optus in April.

Attendees discussed Macquarie Park’s strengths today, the needs of our community, and the long-term plans for our area.

Mayor of the City of Ryde Councillor Jordan Lane addressed the summit, as did local MP and NSW Government Minister Victor Dominello, who stated:

“Macquarie Park is going to be central to the NSW Government and the way we recover from the pandemic both in our State, and in Australia”

Eric Knight, Executive Dean at Macquarie Business School (Macquarie University) shared why the University is proud to call an innovation district home, while Director of the Digital Centre of Excellence at Optus, Gavin Wertheim, highlighted their innovative practices as a major employer in the area.

NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Hugh Durrant-Whyte led an engaging panel discussion with the Greater Sydney Commission, CSIRO and Optus, while entrepreneurs from the Macquarie University Incubator demonstrated their products and services to event attendees.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

A ROAD MAP FOR MACQUARIE PARK

Based on in depth engagement with our community, and representing the voice of our members, Connect MPID’s “Road Map for Macquarie Park” responds to the 20-year masterplan for Macquarie Park recently published by the NSW Government.

The road map provides new data, insights and ideas for the future, and shares an overview of Macquarie Park’s strengths and successes to date

In addition, it identifies government plans which our community say should be prioritised and accelerated, across four key areas:

Getting growth right

• Improving access

• Greening and connecting our centre

• Providing space and support for innovators to grow

Based on extensive research, and created in consultation with our members, Connect MPID’s road map will form the basis of our leadership and advocacy for Macquarie Park in the future.

MPEXPO KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

Hundreds of people enjoyed MPEXPO –Macquarie Park Innovation Showcase –in glorious sunshine in May. Staged on Banfield Road as a one-day innovationthemed street festival, MPEXPO brought our community back together again after months of lockdowns and remote working.

Entrepreneurs shared their success stories, while Optus, Fujifilm Business Innovation AUS, Schneider Electric, Novartis, and other leading local workplaces showed off their innovative products, processes, and people.

Macquarie University introduced the talent of tomorrow at their graduate success stand.

Local leaders on our spotlight stage included the NSW Government’s 24-hour Economy Commissioner, representatives from the City of Ryde and Macquarie Exchange, plus business, start-ups, and academia.

Event attendees from across Macquarie Park met new neighbours, including the “sky blues” Sydney FC, Stockland’s M_Park team, plus WISE Specialist Emergency Clinic.

MPEXPO was funded by the NSW Government through their CBDs Revitalisation program.

OUR FY22 BOARD

Connect MPID is backed by a Board of Directors comprised of local leaders who generously volunteer their time to help guide our progress, including representatives from business, government and academia:

ANTHONY O’NEILL

CRAIG LENARDUZZI

NATALIE DOUGLAS

MARK BROOMFIELD

SUSIE GARLAND

MATTHEW DIXON

JOHN BROWN

OUR TEAM

To deliver the strategy set by our Board of Directors, Connect MPID employs a small but impactful team with a breadth of knowledge about Macquarie Park. Connect MPID also employs additional external resource on a per-project basis.

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Connect MPID is a unique partnership, operating on a not-for-profit basis. We concluded our first financial year as a new entity in a strong position with a small operating surplus.

Total operating income was $510,974, of which 54% was from member subscriptions.

We secured an additional grant of $320,000 from the NSW Government to enable MPEXPO.

Our income is derived from a mixture of funding partners (State and Local Government, Macquarie University) and member subscriptions (leading businesses in our area).

Member subscriptions are tiered on the basis of size of employer, ensuring those with the ability do the heaviest lifting within our ecosystem do so.

Connect MPID engages external accountants, EFS Strategic, to manage payroll, audit accounts and fulfil our business activity statements for the Australian Tax Office.

We are fortunate to enjoy the ongoing support of Optus, who generously host the Connect MPID team at their Macquarie Park campus.

Insurance & Financial management Administrative, IT & other

Member services

Staffing

2022 Operating Expenses

Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District

1 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2113

connectmpid.com.au

info@connectmpid.com.au