WSU assistant vice-chancellor Andy Marks said the need for research and business collaboration was driving plans for 37,000sq m of commercial and retail facilities in Westmead.

“These partnerships are the basis of innovation. If we don’t find ways to work together then we won’t be able to solve the enormous economic, social and health challenges we’ll confront in coming decades,” Dr Marks said.

“Addressing those issues is at the heart of our Westmead Campus redevelopment. Every aspect of the site has been specifically designed to create a technology-rich, vibrant and highly connected space; all proven to support productive collaboration.”

The precinct will include research facilities, health-related commercial, retail and residential components.

“Providing quality but affordable accommodation for health workforce professionals, close to where they work, is also a goal at the highly accessible site,” Dr Marks said.

“It is important to note the entire project will be from industry funding — there is no government funding involved.”

The project will see commercial tenants conduct research partnerships with WSU, University of Sydney and Westmead-based medical institutions.

The MARCS Institute for Brain Behaviour and Development and the National Institute of Contemporary Medicine will also call the precinct home.

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“These research centres — along with the University’s medical, nursing and midwifery students — will connect directly with other research institutes in the precinct and Westmead’s public, private and children’s hospitals,” Dr Marks said.

“This will include broader collaborations with the University of Sydney in major health, digital and technological fields of priority to the region.”

Deicorp will construct two residential towers of between 19 and 23 storeys as part of the precinct.

More than 900 apartments will be developed as part of the Highline Westmead project, which will establish links for key workers and first-home buyers to employment and education facilities and new public transport networks, including the Parramatta Light Rail and future Westmead Metro station.

Development manager John Vamvakaris said growth in the precinct was overwhelming.

“People from around the world come to Westmead to do their fellowship and participate in medical research,” he said. “At the moment there is nowhere for them to live or stay, which was a key driver in our project.

“The hospital infrastructure was a key driver for us. There is no real housing for doctors and clinicians but also key workers like nurses and support staff.”

Construction of the project started in April.

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