THE state government plans to turn Bentley’s Technology Park into a specialist information and communications technology hub, as part of a wider development of the area. Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan has announced that the park will expand from 42 hectares to 314ha, incorporating government land currently used by the Department of Agriculture. The proposed expansion includes plans to boost the percentage of tenants with a strong ICT focus from the current 60 per cent, a spokesman for the minister said. The proposed changes will not impact on existing tenants, the spokesman said. The $8.5 million already allocated to the Technology Park redevelopment plans have funded the construction of a second entrance, as well as road works, buildings and telecommunications facilities. The minister will seek community input on the project plans through a web site entitled ‘community of minds’, which he launched last week. “Bentley Technology Park is one of Australia’s economic success stories,” Mr Logan said. “The state government wants to build on this success and is planning to expand the park from 42 hectares to an area of 314 hectares, an eight-fold increase. “We want to create a precinct that will benefit the state’s economy and make it a world leading research and development hub.” Andrew Hobbs