The following excerpts were taken from a presentation by John Harvey, Director of Corporate Affairs for IBM Australia and New Zealand at the Technology Parks & Incubators Australia Annual Conference on the 5th of December 2002 at Greenhill Enterprise Centre.

Internationally Competitive Cost

Australian IT (most capital city based) 45% less cost competitive than overseas however

• Regional salaries 10-15% lower
• Staff turnover lower
• Staff motivation and morale higher
• Real Estate costs in regional area lower

Access to Knowledge Creation

Partner with University of Ballarat

• "Earn as you Learn" program
• 68 HECS places from Commonwealth Government
• University Course Development - Open Source

Access to Suitable Infrastructure

• Excellent building, linked to IT facility
• Competitive rent provisions
• Customised "fit out"
• Ready access to required telecommunications

Build to a Critical Mass

• Started from solid base (IBM established in Ballarat in 1995)
• Committed to 300 new staff over 5 years
• Centre to achieve international critical mass
• Target Australia's strength in IT services
• Access to sophisticated customers