Construction has begun on the $16 million stage one of the University of Queensland's Ipswich campus, to open in February 1999 with an intake of 580 students.
Darra-based firm Hutchinson Builders was awarded the $11.5 million tender to adapt six existing buildings at the former Challinor Centre site, and create landscaped gardens and walkways between buildings.
The 25-hectare campus, which is 1.4km from the Ipswich city centre, has a history dating from 1878, with 17 buildings heritage-listed.
A new main entry to the site will be developed from Salisbury Road.
This month, work teams began turning the northern end of the UQ Ipswich campus, between Salisbury Road and Parker Avenue, into a construction site.
Project manager Peter Sampson of the University's Property and Facilities section said stage one construction of UQ Ipswich was expected to be completed by late November 1998. Computing and teaching facilities would then be completed and academic staff would move on site.
The first cluster of buildings will house academic and shared teaching space, the Learning Resources Development Unit, library, one-stop student service centre, administrative areas, health service, student union, and other support services.
The first buildings to be rehabilitated for modern use are predominantly World War I and pre-World War II buildings constructed by the Department of Works. They include the former Ellen and Francis House (constructed 1955), the Staff Training Centre (1979), Dagmar House (1933), Byron House (1917), Clair House (1917) and the Sewing Room (1913).
Courtyards will be developed to the east of the northernmost buildings, protected from the westerly winds.
The development of each stage would exploit the hilltop site's superb views to the surrounding countryside and mountains, and strengthen vistas between 'oasis landscapes' near clusters of buildings. Pedestrian malls and piazzas would link the buildings to create a people-friendly site.
Planning has commenced for stage two, due for completion in February 2000. This will develop buildings in the campus centre and create a 'village' to serve as the social and administrative heart of the campus, which is expected to accommodate 2500 students by 2001.
University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Trevor Grigg said the commencement of construction was a milestone in the development of the UQ Ipswich campus.
Professor Grigg said the campus was expected to become an important social, cultural and educational resource for Queensland.
'In developing UQ Ipswich, the University of Queensland is doing much more than establishing a traditional university campus where students are taught in lectures held in set rooms at set times,' he said.
'Instead, UQ Ipswich will be a state-of-the-art flexible delivery centre using the very latest technology, where students can pace themselves and choose different ways of learning. Small groups will interact, using learning methods including face-to-face teaching, the Internet, interactive videos and telephone tutorials.'
UQ Ipswich would be linked to other parts of the University by a broad-band microwave network, enabling staff and students to share knowledge through new technologies, he said.
Professor Grigg said September, 1998 was the deadline for lodging Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre applications for admission to UQ Ipswich courses for 1999.
For further information, contact Professor Grigg, telephone 07 3365 7366, or Mr Sampson, telephone 07 3365 1113.
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