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Whole-of-community approach to bring high-tech business to New England region

78 New England business leaders and community members participated in five workshops to help compile the feedback and insights that will be required to facilitate the development of a ‘precinct without walls’ as an enabling proposition for regional development.

The vision for the NESIRH is to both attract more high-tech businesses to the region through the physical and digital co-location of companies and start-ups, and to build educational aspiration across the New England ‘learning region’.

The Hub concept will be based on the key areas of Digital and Creative Industries, Manufacturing and Technology, Health, Business, Education and Renewable Energy.

UNE Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Brigid Heywood said that the objective of the NESIRH is to leverage the exciting opportunities that are offered through partnerships with researchers and innovators and an enterprise-enabled culture.

“Armidale and the New England have so much to offer, and this is a unique opportunity to bring business, community and the University together to drive forward a concept that we hope will attract more high value industry and contribute to the economic prosperity of our region,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

“Regional Australia will play and indeed must play a major role in post COVID-19 economic recovery. It is an engine room of talent and opportunity. We are experiencing a regional renaissance and both Armidale and the wider New England are a big part of this.

“Armidale has a lot to offer in terms of our connectivity to capital cities, our well supported digital environment and an established network of credible and reputable anchor enterprises such as NSW Department of Primary Industries, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, CSIRO, a collection of National cattle breed societies, ICT International and an office for the newly established Department of Regional NSW.

“UNE has a lot to offer through leading higher research initiatives, and leveraging our connections to UNE Tamworth and our commitment to the Special Activation Precinct at Moree,” she said.

UNE has a strong track record in facilitating business and innovation opportunities for the region, including [its] Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, Poultry Hub, Agricultural Genetics & Breeding Unit (AGBU), Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI), Centre for Animal Research and Teaching (CART) and the SMART Region Incubator.

The construction of the Inland Rail, Moree Special Activation Precinct and Aerotropolis and its connection with the NESIRH will further support growth in the region and across the state.

This article has been republished here in full, courtesy of UNE Media. It was published initially on the UNE site on 18 December 2020.

Source: Whole of community approach to bring high-tech business to New England region I UNE Media