ABC Parramatta opens for broadcasting

The ABC has officially opened its new broadcast facility in Parramatta, beginning with radio presenters live on air.

Mornings on ABC Radio Sydney was the first show to broadcast from the new facility, located at 6-8 Parramatta Square. Sydney Drive and Weekends will join in the coming weeks, and Afternoons later today.

ABC News, Audio and Digital teams will join them over the next few months, two ground floor studios will open for use by ABC News and ABC Sydney teams.

The opening was led by ABC Chair Kim Williams, ABC Managing Director David Anderson, and Member for Parramatta Dr Andrew Charlton.

Also in attendance were City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber, State Member for Parramatta Donna Davis, Executive Director of Business Western Sydney David Borger, members of the ABC Leadership Team and key members of the ABC’s content and support teams.

ABC Chair Kim Williams said the new ABC Parramatta “will serve as a model for the ABC in the future; a sophisticated technology facility that promotes new production practices with agile content sharing and distribution.

“From here the ABC will deliver on its continuing obligation to the Australian community as a foundation stone of our democracy, providing news, sharing knowledge and myriad rich stories which reflect our nation. As always, the work done here as with all ABC output provides a core element in contributing to our sense of national identity.

“The move of local news and local radio to Parramatta is another chapter in that adaptive history, meeting audience expectations and honouring legislative obligations. ABC Parramatta will increase our presence in the nation’s fastest growing residential region, boosting the ABC’s effectiveness in Greater Western Sydney.”

ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: “Today is the culmination of several years planning and it is exciting to be here at the stage where new and loyal audiences can experience the ABC broadcasting from this technology-driven facility.

“Over coming months more of our journalists, producers and digital content teams will be based here, connecting and engaging with one of Australia’s most diverse and fastest growing communities.

“The relocation to western Sydney is a key part of the commitment outlined in the ABC’s Five-Year Plan to see 75% of content makers working outside its Ultimo head office by 2025.

“I want to thank everyone involved in the development of this facility, in particular the team members who will be based here and who have supported the move with such professionalism.”

$39.4m will be spent on the Parramatta base, of which $12.2m is fitout, and $23.6m in technology, funded through the sale of ABC property at Artarmon on Sydney’s north shore and by leasing out space in its Ultimo head office.