Western Australia’s CORE Innovation Hub was selected to serve as the operator of the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) in northern Perth.
Under an initial three-year contract, CORE will seek to attract, secure, and retain new partners and users at the Neerabup precinct.
“CORE Innovation Hub brings experience in managing innovative facilities, building collaborative ecosystems and driving transformation across the mining and resources, energy, oil and gas, space and defence sectors,” Innovation and ICT Minister Stephen Dawson said in a statement.
On behalf of the WA government, CORE will lead a collaboration model with industry partners and promote skills and the exchange of ideas between innovators, TAFEs, and universities.
“The appointment of a highly qualified local operator is a catalyst for that growth, and I look forward to seeing this unique precinct fulfil its potential and promise,” Carey added.
Delivered through the DevelopmentWA’s Industrial Lands Authority, AARP was established in October 2021 to be an industry-leading research, development, and testing facility for automation, remote operations, and robotics.
“Development of the AARP is set to create at least 70 construction jobs, with up to 5,000 ongoing jobs in the fields of robotics, automation and remote operations expected to be generated after completion,” said WA Lands Minister John Carey.
In a statement, WA said users of the precinct will be enabled to access planned facilities, including common user test beds, laboratories, and design co-labs. They will also be able to leverage a common user facility operations building, which is scheduled to open in 2023.
Construction has already begun at the precinct’s initial 51-hectare site, according to the press release.
“Securing a Western Australian-founded Innovation Hub in CORE to operate the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct is a major boost for Neerabup. This innovative and exciting new precinct will provide a number of new local job opportunities in the developing automation and robotics industry for the community here in Wanneroo,” according to Wanneroo MLA Sabine Winton.
