The National Reconstruction Fund has unlocked a new pipeline of potential investment opportunities as part of a new partnership with the NSW government’s manufacturing incubator.
Unveiled on Friday, the collaboration will see an innovation cluster established in Bradfield in western Sydney alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF).
Facilitated by the Bradfield Development Authority, the cluster will support advanced manufacturing firms across the supply chain, from research and development and design through to production, distribution and sales.
Officials said the partnership would build a referral pathway between the AMRF and NRF to help businesses scale operations, attract capital and move more quickly from pre-production to commercialisation.
The alliance follows recent steps to strengthen collaboration at the AMRF, including an agreement with Japanese automation leader Yaskawa to support shared research, technology demonstration and industry upskilling.
Federal Minister for Industry and Science Tim Ayres said the arrangement would help build Australian industrial capability, with the Bradfield innovation ecosystem bringing “significant opportunity for industry to thrive”.
“With AMRF’s technical expertise being available to support NRF investment decision making, this partnership will deliver impact and drive a Future Made in Australia,” Senator Ayres said.
NSW Planning and Public Spaces minister Paul Scully said the location of the new city near Western Sydney International Airport presented a “significant opportunity to establish a global hub of industry innovation”.
He said while the AMRF is based in western Sydney, businesses across the country were already engaging with the facility, which he described as an asset of “national strategic importance”.
NSW Industry and Trade minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the partnership aligned with the Minns government’s industry policy, supporting the full supply chain from R&D to commercialisation alonsgide “existing agreements the AMRF has with 11 NSW and ACT universities”.
“The AMRF will offer technical advice and assistance to ensure businesses better prepare themselves to attract private capital,” Mr Chanthivong said.
The AMRF itself launched in March after a series of delays, establishing a new hub for manufacturers to access advanced equipment and expertise in western Sydney.
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