The University of Queensland is working through a busy construction schedule, with major projects worth more than $224 million in progress.
They include:
UQ Centre for Clinical Research
Construction for the $66 million Centre for Clinical Research is well underway with the main section now finished. Due for completion in January 2008, the seven-storey building will initially focus on four research areas: clinical outcomes and clinical trials, molecular and cellular pathology, clinical neuroscience, and tissue inflammation and injury repair. Professor Nicholas Fisk, who brings both international recognition and much experience, has been appointed Director of the Centre. Professor Fisk was formerly Professor of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine at Imperial College, London. The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Queensland Government and UQ are funding the facility, located at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston.
General Purpose North 4 (GPN4) building
Due for completion in March 2008, the GPN4 at St Lucia will house the Institute for Continuing and TESOL Education. The $52 million v-shaped six-level building incorporates several Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) initiatives. Two underground storage tanks, buried directly in front of GPN4, have the capacity to hold 220,000 litres of rainwater run-off. Recently the level 4 concrete floor slab was completed and the exterior colour of GPN4 is now visible. The colour matches the Duhig Library, Great Court Buildings and GPN3, which are in close proximity.
Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS)
Construction of the $33 million centre began in January at the Gatton campus. Funded through smart state research funding, the Queensland Department of Primary Fisheries and Industries (DPI&F) and UQ, the CAAS will facilitate research in the areas of health and disease, nutrition and growth, adaptation and animal welfare. Stage 1, which is due for completion in September 2007, includes individual and grouped animal pens, a yards complex and hay shed. The second and final stage includes a metabolism shed, containment complex and central services plant, and is due to be finished in July 2008.
Heron Island Research Station
Restoration of the buildings destroyed by fire on March 30 2007 began in August. The restoration, expected to be completed by the end of 2008, will cost $9million.
Queensland Brain Institute (QBI)
Construction on this $63 million facility at St Lucia, which began in October 2005, has now concluded, except for external works. The new building will better equip the QBI, established in 2003, to understand the molecular basis of brain function and apply this knowledge to the development of new therapeutics to treat brain and mental health disorders.
Alumni Court
The Alumni Court Campus Enhancement project is underway at the St Lucia campus. Stage 2 of the project, which is due for completion in March 2008, began in August and involves converting an old physics laboratory into a covered area with outdoor public seating. The project is worth $1.6million.
Campus Enhancement Strategy
A number of construction projects are scheduled as part of the Campus Enhancement Strategy, intended to improve the appearance and external facilities of the St Lucia campus. Firstly, the Mill Road Carpark will undergo an upgrade during the second semester break. The enhancement will complement both the James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre and Biological Sciences Library Landscape. Also during the break, the Forgan Smith forecourt will be landscaped, additional trees planted, weeds removed and the pathway in front of the building upgraded.
Media: Further information, Penny Robinson (3365 9723, email: penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
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