Researchers begin moving into new HMRI Building
Researchers previously based at Newcastle’s David Maddison Building have begun moving into the new $90 million HMRI Building at the Rankin Park campus.
Other groups are set to follow during a progressive relocation process, with the 16,000sq metre, state-of-the-art medical facility to house around 340 staff in the initial stages. They will be working in fields as diverse as brain and mental health, information-based medicine, pregnancy and reproduction, public health and VIVA (viruses, infections/immunity, vaccines and asthma).
Scoping work for the building began in 2008 with the appointment of project directors APP, while Daracon commenced earthworks in August 2010. Cockram started the actual building in February 2011, employing many local contractors during the construction phase. The project remains within budget.
The Building was designed to promote the translation of laboratory-based findings into improved clinical care. The modern, open-plan layout will encourage researchers to develop collaborations, both internally and globally, and fuel the continued growth of the institute.
HMRI Director Michael Nilsson is looking forward to completing the move process, while acknowledging it would take some time to settle into a building of such advanced capability.
“This is a major step towards a long-held ambition to co-locate medical researchers from the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health on three campuses in purpose-built and centrally located facilities,” Professor Nilsson said.
“It's a milestone we can all celebrate because the Federal and State governments invested in HMRI based on the results achieved by each of the 1100 affiliated researchers. Now, I’m excited about realising this building’s full potential and seeing some amazing new research findings.”
HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Rothfield, 0487 617 055 | Mark.Rothfield@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Photographs available on request.
