FAQs
What is the Oral Health Centre?
It is a $120 million facility that will house:
- Dental services for public and private patients
- University dental teaching facilities
- Research facilities
- Queensland Health oral health services for hospital and special needs patients.
The OHC is funded by a $104 million Federal Government grant, $3 million from Queensland Health and UQ contributions for the capital project and specialised fitout as well as the land.
Why is it needed?
It will help improve dental health in Queensland (which is one of the worst in Australia) by educating more dentists, dental specialists and oral health therapists, providing more public and private dental services, boosting research and pioneering improved treatments.
Oral diseases are recognised as a major health problem because of their prevalence and impact on quality of life. There is also a large body of evidence which links poor dental health with general health problems, especially periodontal (gum) problems with heart disease, diabetes control and premature birth.
Public waiting times for dental services are excessive and there is a serious shortage of dental pro in private practice, particularly dental specialists. Improving the access and quality of oral health services in Queensland will have significant and long term benefits.
The OHC will do this by:
- helping address the current shortage of dentists by educating more dental students
- providing increased access to affordable dental services
- boosting research and specialised patient services, in areas such as oral cancer
- focusing on translating research into improved patient care.
The OHC will not only be an important health facility for Queensland but will offer current university staff and Herston residents an additional community asset. The project will include community spaces which will invite access to this picturesque green space.
Where will it be located?
The OHC is located on UQ's Herston Campus, on Bramston Terrace, adjacent to the Mayne Medical School Building.
How long will it take to build?
Construction will begin in July 2011 and is scheduled to finish in August 2012. The Project is due for completion for December 2012.
Will parking in the area be affected?
Once operational, the OHC is not expected to increase parking pressure in the area. The building has parking facilities incorporated and aims to be self sufficient. Due to the easy access, students and patients are expected to use public transport or bicycle access to get to the OHC - just as they currently do to attend the School of Dentistry's Turbot Street facility.
Will the OHC car park and bike facilities be available to all UQ staff?
Some staff will be accommodated in the OHC car park, but it will not be able to cater for everyone. It will provide 200 car parking spaces. UQ staff will have access to the building's bicycle facility.
How many construction staff will be on the site and where will they park?
There will be around 50 construction staff over the first 5 months, increasing to around 130 by February 2012 and peaking at around 340. Construction workers will typically begin work at 6am and finish at 3pm. Site visitors, staff and workers will be strongly encouraged at their induction to use public transport due to the very limited amount of long-term parking in the near vicinity of the Site. Long-term parking options have been identified about 600 metres away from the Site on Herston Road.
What care is being taken regarding proximity to the medical school?
Heritage considerations were a major driver in the design of the OHC, which has received approval from the Queensland Heritage Council.
The new facility will be lower in height than the dome and parapet of the medical school and will maintain space around the building. The OHC will frame the medical school and will retain major view lines.
More on how the design complements the Mayne Medical School - view the architect's virtual building design.
What will be done to lessen the noise and vibration during demolition of the Annexe?
The Annexe will be severed from the Mayne Medical Building prior to demolition to minimise vibration. Lend Lease will establish vibration monitoring equipment on the Mayne Building prior to demolition works commencing. Existing openings connecting the Mayne Building to the Annexe will be hoarded off with an air tight and waterproof lining during demolition. The demolition method involves pulverisation of the concrete rather than breaking up and dropping. This will significantly reduce the vibration. It is a very controlled procedure that includes the use of air-driven water spray units to control dust. There will be ongoing monitoring of the noise and vibration levels by UQ workplace health and safety staff. The intention is that levels do not exceed WHS regulation levels.
Internal staff meetings will be held with School of Medicine executive staff regarding noise and vibration levels as the project proceeds.
The works will be carried out during normal working hours in accordance with BCC ordinances. The work to sever the annexe from the Mayne Medical Building will occur on Friday, 29 and Saturday, 30 July.
Staff should discuss any issues about noise and vibration with their manager.
Who should UQ staff contact for issues relating to the construction?
1. Your manager 2. Call the Faculty Office on 3365 5324 or email ohc@uq.edu.au. 3. For urgent matters, advise Medical School Reception who will contact the Lend Lease site supervisor. 4. For general information, visit www.uq.edu.au/ohc .
Will heavy vehicles working on the site have reversing beepers?
The warning sound is now a “squawk” sound which is believed to reduce noise impact typically associated with the “beepers”.
What will be done to mitigate traffic issues on Herston Road?
Lend Lease has consulted with the Brisbane City Council and will has a traffic management plan that will include full-time traffic controllers at the two main access points of the Site on Herston Road.
The Site office encroaches on the Hippocrates statue and the war memorial. What is planned for these?
The war memorial will be temporarily relocated to the Weightman Street side of the building. The statue will be fully enclosed and protected during construction.
What will the building look like?
The OHC will be located to one side of the Mayne Medical School and will be lower in height than its distinctive dome and parapet. The building will have seven levels, with two "circulations cores" separating the structure into three vertical blocks.
The design aims to complement the parkland setting by enriching enjoyment of the green space through views from the building and by providing new amenities. These include a high quality café and accessways that encourage flow to the park, medical school and hospital. The elegant, open design offers views to the medical school and parkland from many vantage points.
What about the parkland?
The open, airy design of the OHC aims to complement the parkland setting. The building design has taken into account the importance of trees on the site. The building will be sited along Bramston Terrace, in the area with the lowest density of healthy trees. It frames the Medical School and views to the park are an important feature.
Will new trees be planted to replace those removed from the site?
Yes – the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and Brisbane City Council approval of Natural Assets Local Law (NALL) reviewed the existing and affected landscape. In accordance with this review, 140 compensatory native specimens will be incorporated in the landscape design including but not limited to 52 native tree ferns (Dicksonia antartica, Cyathea cooperii), 8 native palms (Livistona australis), 2 Eucalyptus trees, native grasses (Themeda australis) and groundcovers.
The incorporation of new vegetation will be concentrated within and at the perimeter of the new OHC building, this ensures the retention of the existing park character outside of the building envelope. An exception to this will be additional Eucalyptus trees planted where the existing loading dock is to be demolished.
Planting areas within the building envelope are located at recreational seating areas and vantage points to the park. The species selection responds to the proposed microclimate conditions. Lush green native vegetation is proposed including native tree ferns and groundcovers. The building perimeter planting responds to the microclimate and character transition from the building to open parkland. A transitional palette has been developed that includes native ferns, palms and grasses.
What care is being taken of flora and fauna on the site?
A qualified arborist has been engaged to manage vegetation on the site. He is also qualified to remove fauna. A review of the existing flora showed a small number of significant native trees required removal.A substantial replanting of native trees will take place as part of the building’s landscaping.
A fauna expert was engaged by UQ to review the animal population on the site. The arborist’s fauna spotter has removed animals that lived within the Site, including 10 native bee hives and these have been relocated. Bird nesting boxes will be set up in the adjacent parkland to provide new homes.
Will the building harvest rainwater?
Yes – there will be collection tanks within the building collecting water from the roof. The water will be used throughout the building and also for landscaping.
What will the carbon footprint of the building be?
The target is a 60% reduction. This will be calculated once the building is operating. Reductions will be achieved through the natural ventilation system and energy savings for plant equipment and energy load, as well as opportunities for solar power and rain water harvest.
Where can taxis drop off and collect during construction?
The entrance to the public health car park on Weightman Street can be used an s drop off/collection point.
Could some seating be provided in the rose garden on the Weightman Street side of the medical school for staff?
Yes – additional seating will be provided.
Can a designated loading zone be provided for the medical school?
Yes – There are currently 5 x designated service vehicle bays in the Public Health Carpark.
These bays are available for short term use by delivery vehicles for drop offs etc. to the Medical School.)
Who is involved in the OHC?
The Centre is a University of Queensland project, funded by the Federal Government. Queensland Health is an important partner. Lend Lease is the construction contractor.
What dental services will be available to the public at the OHC?
Public and private dental services are expected to operate. The School of Dentistry will offer an expanded public clinic service which treats both private patients and publicly eligible patients (e.g. concession card holder)