Commuters along Annerley Road at Dutton Park will soon be able to see the shape of the new $280 million Eco-Sciences precinct as the building emerges from the ground.

The new facility within the Boggo Road Urban Village development will comprise a five level building totalling 51,200 sqm of floor space, with two laboratory blocks and central offices over a three level basement podium.

It will include offices, staff support areas, an education centre, workshops, laboratories, insect houses, glasshouses and greenhouses. 

The project which is managed by the Queensland Government’s Department of Public Works Project Services is a collaborative venture between the Department of Tourism Regional Development and Industry and CSIRO at two key locations in south-east Queensland. The other location will be the Health and Food Sciences precinct at Coopers Plains.

The Health and Food Sciences Precinct will comprise three blocks totalling 12,900 sqm, making a total gross floor area of more than 64,000 sqm.

Builders Watpac are progressing with construction of the new facility, which is on time and within budget for completion by February 2011, according to quantity surveyors and project auditors, Davis Langdon.

Davis Langdon’s project director, Brad Jackson, said the two new precincts would provide accommodation for 1200 science professionals and support staff.

“Co-location of the various partner agencies at the Eco-Sciences Precinct will create one of the largest concentrations of scientists in their fields in Australia,” said Mr Jackson.

“The two precincts will allow for greatly increased collaboration and high-level sharing of skills and expensive equipment, creating cost efficiencies in research and development.

“The Eco-Sciences Precinct will focus on research on climate change, protecting Australia’s natural resources and environment, and Australia’s farming, mineral, forestry, marine and tourism industries in a facility designed to capitalise on interaction between the partnering researchers

“The Health and Food Sciences precinct will be focusing on research and development  in ways to create a healthier life through advances in health care, medicine, food and nutrition.”

The Eco-Sciences Precinct will accommodate research facilities from CSIRO, the Queensland Departments of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Natural Resources and Water, Mines and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Health and Food Sciences precinct will house facilities from Food Science Australia and the Queensland Departments of Health, Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Mr Jackson said the design of laboratory and support spaces, with adjacent office areas was required to be flexible to meet short term requirements, and capable of meeting the longer term, changing needs of research into the future.

“The partners will share the cost of the generic facilities and will meet independently the cost of any special facilities,” he said.

“Buildings will incorporate ecologically sustainable design initiatives, and a project specific Green rating tool has been developed that recognises the significant laboratory component of the project.”

For further information, contact Meaghan Jones on +61 3 9933 8800 or email mjones2@davislangdon.com.au