Australian universities bid for Sydney "Silicon Harbour"

A number of Australian universities have joined forces with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in an attempt to form a Silicon Valley-style tech hub in Sydney.

A total of 13 proposals were received by UrbanGrowth, the New South Wales (NSW) state government agency responsible for the overhaul of the White Bay Power Station, which shut its doors in 1983.

UrbanGrowth chief executive David Pitchford said the leading contender would be presented to the state government in June.

"The White Bay Power Station has been earmarked as the global hub for high tech jobs and innovation," Pitchford said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Organizations (have had) the opportunity to demonstrate their vision and capability to transform this historic asset and its surrounds," he said.

The overhaul of the former coal-fired station, which boasts 38, 000 square meters of harbor side space, was an extraordinary opportunity for Australian universities, according to a University of Sydney spokeswoman.

"Universities are a vital part of the innovation eco-system that is essential to foster in order to achieve the bold agenda that has been set by the federal and NSW governments," she said.

The NSW state government has labeled the space "Silicon Harbour. "