Build it and they will come.

Sydney is big. Sydney also has a 'real' real estate problem.

Recently printed in the SMH there was an article about Google and their search for a Sydney headquarters to replace their current Prymont offices. Originally Google was to be the Key tenant in the new Bays precinct. A revitalisation of the workings bays of White and Rozelle bay. It was hoped Google would be the catalyst for a technological hub in the Bays Precinct.

Sadly due to the lack of solid Public transport links Google passed on the Precinct and so did many others after the prestige of Google left.

Google then looked at occupying a site within the Eveleigh site next to Redfern. It would join other tenants as part of a revitalisation next to Carriageworks. Well serviced by Redfern Train station it was looking good but alas something else........ came and scuppered that deal.

So what has this got to with anything.

14% of Sydney's population work within the CBD.

That figure will undoubtedly grow as Sydney does. Earlier this year the Greater Sydney Commission released their 3 cities concept and Transport for NSW released their Future Transport 2056 plan. With big items like the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and a more connected regional plan things are looking interesting for the future.

Here is where I link my title with my ramblings, it might take a while for it to be clear (It always does).

Now I what I am thinking seems almost like a facepalm moment to me however, I am no town planner nor am I educated to a level that can explore or investigate the viability of my suggestion. To me it just seems like we should be doing it.

The Aerotropolis is being touted as a new Aerospace industry hub. With Transport and freight links and massive investment from federal and state governments. Also Health and Agriculture will play a smaller part with the links to international markets.

So why has this model not being used to develop regional cities.

See the face Palm moment?

Why can't we build hubs across the state. We can start with a Green technology hub in Bathurst/Orange. Imagine the possibilities. R&D through to manufacture all within a single area. The best and brightest minds etc all developing a green future.

Think Australia's silicon valley in the Ballina/Byron area and surrounds Google would be all over that or a health technology hub. Imagine how we could develop these regions with investment in specific specialist industries. Universities would clamour to have a campus within these hubs. Each uni would cater for specific disciplines connected to the hub. UNSW could move their solar labs to Orange for example.

Other universities will either already be in the area could develop ourselves themselves to become leaders in the hubs specialist industries but it would also achieve the spreading of population and also developing regional areas.

Investment in each identified area would be then used to develop regional cities. There could be incentives for big business to move entry level positions to the bush as well as their offices. Could be in the form of tax breaks, or a something else.

The start should be Green technologies and that could then help build the new hubs with green tech to ease the burden on existing infrastructure. Each regional area would gain world class facilities with Hospitals and schools for the community. 

The opportunities are endless surely.

You do have to also provide the things that people really love in Sydney. Good food, wine, bars, arts, entertainment. There could even opportunities to develop multi purpose venues and sporting stadiums to attract sporting teams and sporting bodies to bring more opportunities for regional sporting fixtures. Concerts and community events can take advantage.

The thing is we need to build infrastructure for the supporting of the hub system idea. If we are truly serious about regional development, about driving this state forward and becoming innovative it should not be much of a stretch.