ABC starts broadcasting from Parramatta office, 'a model for the ABC in the future'

The ABC has opened the doors to its new Western Sydney broadcast facility in Parramatta, located at 6-8 Parramatta Square.

A number of key ABC Sydney presenters are now broadcasting from Western Sydney, with ABC's news, audio, and digital teams joining them over the coming months, when two ground-floor studios will open for use by the ABC News and ABC Sydney teams.

The opening of ABC Parramatta was marked with an event led by ABC chair Kim Williams AM, managing director David Anderson, and member for Parramatta Dr Andrew Charlton MP.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor, councillor Pierre Esber, state member for Parramatta Donna Davis MP, executive director of business Western Sydney David Borger, members of the ABC leadership team, and members of the ABC’s content and support teams also attended.

​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.”​

Managing director Anderson said the move was "the culmination of several years of 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."​

Anderson added that the relocation to Western Sydney has been a key part of the commitment outlined in the ABC’s Five-Year Plan, with the goal being to see 75% of content makers working outside its Ultimo head office by 2025.​

Mornings on ABC Radio Sydney was the first show to broadcast from the new facility, followed by Afternoons. Sydney Drive and Weekends will start broadcasting from ABC Paramatta in the coming weeks.

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