BALLARAT is leading the way as a premium Australian location for delivery of information technology, a report has found.
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Authored by capioIT founder Phil Hassey, the Close to Home – Identifying the Premium Australian Location for Delivery of IT and Business Process Services report puts Ballarat on top across regional Australia.
University of Ballarat Technology Park (UBTP), director Malcolm Vallance said he was absolutely delighted with the outcome.
“It is a confirmation that we are on the right track ... that our strategy to build Ballarat as a significant IT centre is proceeding well,” Mr Vallance said.
“The reason why I think we have done so well is that we have a couple of universities in the city, so business investors are able to access skilled labour.”
Mr Vallance said significant investment in development in Ballarat, particularly in the park, had also helped the town emerge ahead of others.
“Ballarat is very attractive from a cost point of view,” he said. “We are working on the second stage expansion of the park ... in 10 to 15 years we will double the size of the park.”
Ballarat was chosen out of 35 cities, ranging from Wollongong to Kalgoorlie in terms of population size. Other cities to make the top five were Townsville, Wollongong, Cairns and Launceston.
Ballarat mayor Mark Harris said IT was an important sector for the city.
“There are over 1000 people working at UBTP and the sector’s output is $300 million,” Cr Harris said. “It is a significant part of the economy.”
According to the report, what made Ballarat a clear winner was the excellent support from local and state government and the University of Ballarat.
The report says Ballarat has an established capability in the UBTP, supported by industry through anchor tenant IBM, but also with other smaller tenants such as Aviarc and Uniti.
IBM global process services, market development executive, Australia and New Zealand Simon Hudson said Ballarat had proven to be an excellent centre for delivery of their IT and process services since 1995.
“I am quite passionate about Ballarat,” Mr Hudson said. “We are very proud of what we do here.”
neelima.choahan@thecourier.com.au