ABC News in Australia has relocated its New South Wales (NSW) operations to a new broadcast facility in Parramatta. The grand opening was marked by the Sunday, December 8th, 7 p.m. news bulletin, originating from the cutting-edge Studio 91. “This is a great moment for the ABC and our audiences,” said Justin Stevens, ABC News director. “ABC Parramatta locates our NSW newsroom within one of Australia’s largest, fastest-growing, and most diverse communities. It means we’re even more closely representing and connecting with our community.”
This inaugural broadcast also showcased a significant technological leap: ABC’s first fully IP-based production. The facility leverages Grass Valley’s GV AMPP platform, facilitating cloud-based video production and editing. Studio 91 boasts a set design incorporating a Parramatta Square skyline backdrop. Future plans include integrating augmented reality elements with full perspective tracking, a first for ABC News.
Jeremy Fernandez and Nakari Thorpe anchored the debut bulletin, which highlighted stories from Western Sydney. The Parramatta newsroom now houses the NSW 7 p.m. team, alongside ABC Radio Sydney and Product & Technology staff, following the recent relocation of ABC Radio Sydney programs to the new location. This strategic move aligns with the ABC’s Five-Year Plan, emphasizing broader representation of Australia’s diverse communities in its content and production practices.