Work starts on $230m Biosciences Centre
Much of the research undertaken at La Trobe University - particularly in the area of agriculture - has been among the very best in the world.
That comment came from State Premier Mr John Brumby at a ceremony in late May. Mr Brumby was at the University to mark the start of construction of Victoria’s new $230 million Biosciences Research Centre, about to take shape on the main Melbourne campus at Bundoora.
‘That research, in turn, has enabled farmers in Victoria and across Australia to be at the leading edge of new technologies and drive productivity improvements,’ he added.
Mr Brumby said work on the Centre, a joint initiative of the Victorian Government through its Department of Primary Industries and La Trobe, would begin five months ahead of schedule, generating hundreds of jobs for the state. It is expected to be operational in 2012.
‘This will be a world-class centre for agricultural biosciences research and development and will boost Victoria’s ability to make important scientific discoveries. It will stimulate economic activity in Victoria through investment in biosciences and biotechnology, while delivering research to boost productivity, fight diseases such as Equine Influenza and make Victoria’s farms even more sustainable.’ One of the big challenges for Australian farmers, Mr Brumby said, was productivity improvements to help them compete in the international marketplace.
‘We need to do all we can to assist our farmers build their competitive base, and one of the best ways is through research and development. Much of the outstanding research and development that we do in this state is conducted here at this University.’
Mr Brumby estimated the project will generate 390 jobs during construction and inject around $620 million into the Victorian economy.
Global collaboration
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said the Biosciences Research Centre is extremely important for the University, enabling research collaboration with worldleading scientists in a state-of-the-art facility, and boosting the national and international profile of the University.
‘La Trobe is undergoing rapid change; we are growing and evolving. Scientific research is becoming an increasingly important part of the subjects we offer to our students and I have no doubt the research that will be done here will contribute to the health of Victoria’s and Australia’s agricultural bioscience sector for decades to come.’
Major Projects Minister Mr Tim Pallas said Plenary Research, comprising Plenary Group, Grocon Constructors, Lyons Architects and Honeywell Services, had been chosen to deliver the project which will provide internationally recognised research and development outcomes for the benefit of Victorians.
Agriculture Minister Mr Joe Helper said the BRC would be a landmark facility for Victoria’s $11.8 billion agricultural sector. ‘Victoria is a leader in protecting and working with our agricultural sector against biosecurity threats that provide a constant risk to our farming productivity,’ he said.
‘This important centre will help to further protect this sector by allowing us to rapidly detect and eradicate plant and animal pest and disease outbreaks.’