Monday, 09 December 2024 18:46
PARRA IS BEST FOR SBS MOVE, SAYS MAYOR
PARRAMATTA is making a pitch for a new Western Sydney studio for SBS to be based in the City’s heart, cementing its position as a key cultural precinct nationally.
The Federal Government this week announced $5.9M for SBS to build a new production hub in the West in lieu of pursuing a full relocation of the broadcaster from Artarmon. It’s believed the new hub would include capacity for a TV studio able to host live audiences and radio and podcast booths.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said Parramatta was the most logical home for a new studio for Australia’s most diverse multilingual media organisation.
“It’s disappointing the Federal Government isn’t prepared to back its original goal and fund a full move of SBS to the west. This is a missed opportunity to back intent with significant investment and show it is serious about Western Sydney being able to share its stories and getting a fairer share of cultural funding,” Cr Zaiter said.
“But we think this new studio is a chance to demonstrate the benefits of basing the broadcaster in the heart of Greater Sydney and closer to its audiences.
“More than half of Parramatta’s population was born overseas and speak a language other than English at home and almost 70 per cent, including me, have two parents born overseas so we understand the importance of sharing the stories of our diverse community.
“I will be reaching out to the chair of SBS to understand what they need and ensure they recognise Parramatta’s distinct advantages including transport connectivity.
“A successful new studio in the west could be the first step to ultimately convincing all players, including the Federal Government, of the merits of investing in a full relocation that better positions SBS for the future.”
The call comes the day after ABC began broadcasting its 7pm TV news bulletin from its state-of-the-art new home in Parramatta Square, where it is set to base around 300 staff.
“We’re proud the ABC is now broadcasting its signature news bulletin against a Parramatta Square backdrop featuring our iconic PHIVE building,” Cr Zaiter said.
“It’s a fitting reflection of Parramatta’s growing importance as Australia’s next global city.”
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Monday, 09 December 2024 13:40
LOBBY GROUP WELCOMES PARTIAL SBS RELOCATION
NEWS that an SBS hub will be opened in Western Sydney has been welcomed by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, which has long advocated for the multi-cultural broadcaster to be relocated to the West.
The Government has announced that a TV studio, radio and podcasts booths and collaboration spaces would be opened in Western Sydney, but said a full relocation was too costly.
In 2023, the Albanese government announced it would lead a feasibility study into a possible relocation of SBS from its Artarmon headquarters to Western Sydney, alongside a multi-purpose space for content creation and public use.
Dialogue Chairman, Christopher Brown, said while the new Western Sydney SBS studio wasn’t “the full hog”, it sent the right signal to Sydney’s multicultural heartland.
“We’ve been on this journey for a decade and are delighted to get some progress finally. It’s not the full hog, but it’s a nice start,” Mr Brown said.
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Monday, 09 December 2024 12:20
IT'S URGENT! CHILDREN NEED DONATED XMAS GIFTS NOW
THROUGHOUT the year, MacKillop Family Services works hard to provide the best care for children and young people unable to live at home.
Right now, there is an urgent need for Christmas gifts for more than 70 children and young people aged three months to 18 years, here in Sydney.
Could you help?
You can donate a present for babies, children or teenagers and leave it unwrapped, so that the most suitable gift can be selected for each child.
Drop your gifts off by 13th December at MacKillop Family Services, on Level 1, 38 Prince Street, Blacktown – close to the train station and Club Blacktown.
If you’d like, ask about foster care while you’re there. You can also visit www.mackillop.org.au or call 1300 791 677.
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