A consortium of Australian universities have teamed up with the CSIRO in a bid to shape Sydney's planned Silicon Valley-style tech hub.
A total of 13 proposals have been submitted to UrbanGrowth, the NSW government agency overseeing the redevelopment of White Bay Power Station.
UrbanGrowth chief executive David Pitchford says the leading contender will 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," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Organisations (have had) the opportunity to demonstrate their vision and capability to transform this historic asset and its surrounds."
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The redevelopment of the former coal-fired station, which sits on a harbourfront 38,000 square metre site, was an extraordinary opportunity for Australian universities, a University of Sydney spokeswoman said.
"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 in a statement.
Four universities have joined Sydney Uni in the bid - UNSW, UTS, Macquarie University and Melbourne University - alongside the CSIRO.
The tech hub has been dubbed "Silicon Harbour" by the NSW government, which is keen to create a space for the country's booming start-up and tech scene.
