Westmead Health Precinct to be home to Innovation Quarter by 2021
A “truly visionary” $350 million research and development centre at Westmead plans to unite the most forward-thinking research, health education and commercial sectors in the Southern Hemisphere.
Parramatta
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Plans for $350 million centre for health, research and education centre to create 1000 jobs in the Westmead Health and Innovation District have revealed.
The Hawkebury Rd hub, to be called Innovation Quarter or iQ, will house some of Western Sydney University’s leading research institutes and Australia’s national science agency CSIRO over the 28,000sq m site and pump $150 million into the regional economy.
The university will base its MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, NICM Health Research Institute and Translational Health Research Institute at the complex when it opens in 2021.
CSIRO will bring world-leading research staff from its e-health, and nutrition and health programs to the site.
The project is a joint venture between the university and Charter Hall Group.
Western Sydney University’s finance and resources vice-president Peter Pickering said the Innovation Quarter would consolidate its footprint in Westmead to integrate “first-class health and medical research into policy and practice”.
“The university’s presence within the Innovation Quarter will enable researchers, industry partners and clinicians to come together and address the nation’s most pressing health challenges,’’ he said.
NSW Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres said the development would strengthen Westmead Health and Innovation District as a leading global centre for health care, medical research and commercialisation, education and training.
“It’s another sign of confidence in the NSW economy and demonstrates more progress out west in the Central City, supporting the NSW Government’s focus on technology and innovation as key drivers of growth,’’ he said.
Charter Hall Group chief executive officer David Harrison said there had never been a more important time to focus on health research and innovation.
“iQ will create a truly visionary precinct that brings together the most forward-thinking research, health education and commercial sectors in the Southern Hemisphere,’’ he said.
“The project will provide an environment for some of the brightest minds in the country to innovate, create opportunities for collaboration and solve global challenges in the heart of Westmead.’’
CSIRO executive director Dr Dave Williams said the move to Westmead would improve collaboration opportunities to create health solutions for the nation.
“CSIRO has a long history of partnering with health, education and research organisations to help solve Australia’s greatest challenges in health,” Dr Williams said.
“We look forward to building on this and embarking on new partnerships and innovations at Westmead.”
