“For far too long,life in western Sydney has been under-reported – or misrepresented – in mainstream Australian media,” she said in a speech at the Business Western Sydney chamber lunch.
“With the ABC’s headquarters formerly at Gore Hill on the North Shore of Sydney,and now at Ultimo in Sydney’s Pyrmont area,the ABC has also been regarded,with fair reason,as too inner-city focused.
“The ABC’s strong presence here in Parramatta will provide an opportunity for this city and western Sydney to be properly recognised on the national stage,to tell the region’s stories more fully and deeply,to share insights from one of the most dynamic and productive places in Australia.”
Ms Buttrose’s comments were made after the ABC informed staff on Wednesday of plans to move 300 employees currently working in Ultimo to Parramatta,a proposal that wasoutlined in its five-year plan last June. The broadcaster said it would put out a tender for a property advisor about suitable locations for the facility and plans to lease the available space in Ultimo to non-ABC parties. There were about 1700 staff working in Ultimo before the coronavirus pandemic.
ABC managing director David Anderson said in an email to staff it would help the broadcaster engage with communities “in the demographic heart of Sydney”.
About 200 of the staff from the news,regional and local and entertainment and specialist divisions will be relocated from Ultimo as part of the proposal. ABC sources familiar with the plans,who spoke anonymously because the specifics of the proposal aren’t finalised,said the change will save some costs.
“With rapid changes in our industry,technology and ways of working,this initiative is an opportunity to create a new and contemporary work environment with the latest technology,” Mr Anderson said. “The new facilities will need radio and TV studios and a public space for community engagement.”