Nationals impressed by technology park
Nationals MPs Peter Hall, Damian Drum and Peter Crisp recently enjoyed a tour of the University of Ballarat’s Technology Park – the largest of its kind in regional Australia.
The mission of the park is to foster new and innovative technologies that generate economic and social benefits to industry and community.
“We were most impressed by the technology park which is home to some iconic tenants such as IBM Ballarat and Ambulance Victoria,” Eastern Region MP Peter Hall said.
“It provides an opportunity for the university to broker strategic alliances and commercial relationships with successful businesses.
“Some of Victoria’s best IT graduates are right on the doorstep of these businesses – it’s a win-win situation.”
Situated next door to the university’s Mt Helen campus, the MPs were told the technology park was able to take advantage of the applied, academic and research knowledge also available at its doorstep.
The park makes a significant annual contribution to the economic and social well-being of Ballarat and the region.
“It’s wonderful to learn the park employs around 1350 people and contributes $106 million in household income to the regional economy each year,” Mr Hall said.
“Some of the small business incubators were very impressive. It was remarkable to see some of the software being developed in that building.”
The MPs met with the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Frank Stagnitti and also with the Director of the University’s Technology Park, Mal Vallance who escorted the MPs on the tour of the park.
