Health and Knowledge precinct Southport: Sites overgrown, abandoned, years after Games
There were smiles as Deputy Premier Steven Miles turned the first sod on a major development at the Health and Knowledge precinct in Southport. Months later, the second sod has yet to be turned. FULL STORY >>>
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THERE were smiles behind the masks when Deputy Premier Steven Miles turned the first sod on Proxima, a children’s health and education centre, at the Health and Knowledge precinct in July.
The second sod is yet to be turned.
The only structure standing this week at the spot where Mr Miles, Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon and others posed for the cameras was an orange plastic crate.
The site was otherwise overgrown and surrounded with temporary fencing bearing the ironic slogan “a place where concepts meets (sic) reality”.
The $80m Proxima building, when built, will be the first private development in the Health and Knowledge precinct’s Lumina cluster, a name the state government has given to 9.5 hectares of land being developed by Economic Development Queensland (EDQ).
“EDQ has finalised land sales to Griffith University for its Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies (ADaPT) Institute; Evans Long for Proxima, a children’s health and education centre of excellence; and for an integrated residential aged care and key worker training facility,” Mr Miles said.
“These three projects will create more than 500 construction jobs, over $200m in private sector investment and bring more than 2000 additional people into the precinct.
“In July 2021 EDQ also entered into agreements for the sale of three further sites that will expand the precinct’s translational research capability and catalyse a further $250m in private sector investment and support over 1100 new jobs.”
Asked what the state government was doing to attract more companies to the precinct, Mr Miles said it was “implementing a strategy to attract suitable health and knowledge related businesses of all sizes to the precinct” without offering further details.
OVERGROWN AND ABANDONED: GRIM FATE OF GAMES LEGACY SITE
THE federal government is refusing to fork out money that would unlock one of the most exciting technology hubs in the state.
Mayor Tom Tate said he had written to Gold Coast federal MPs – including Minister for Employment, Workforce and Skills Stuart Robert – urging them to back a $100m, seven-storey centre that Griffith University wants to build as part of its successful Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies (ADaPT) institute at the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge precinct.
The university is seeking to split the costs of the project between itself, Canberra and the state government.
Griffith University has twice requested the federal government commit to its share, but it is still waiting for both tiers of government.
Mayor Tate said it was vital the state and federal governments helped fund a project that would mark a “turning point” for the health and knowledge precinct and draw in “billions” of dollars in investment.
“Griffith University itself has spent substantial funds in getting ready for ADaPT, but we need state and federal support behind it now,” Cr Tate said.
“I’ve written to all our local federal MPs on the matter, urging them to lobby to make this city-deal happen.
“The federal government actually has a Smart Nation Policy and this project fits that bill perfectly.
“I’m confident our federal MPs will make this project a reality as we all know this is the turning point for the precinct and will draw in billions in investment and create hundreds of jobs.”
As part of its Future Gold Coast series, the Bulletin and city leaders are shining the spotlight on key areas to maximise the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of co-hosting the 2032 Olympic Games.
The Bulletin asked Minister Robert if the federal government would commit to funding its one-third share of the ADaPT project.
Referencing long-running ‘City Deal’ negotiations, Mr Robert said “the only thing holding the Gold Coast back” was the Palaszczuk Government. “The Queensland Government won’t come to the table and agree on a Deal,” he said.
“Clearly the Queensland Government would rather play politics with the City Deal than deliver for the people of Queensland.”
Described as a “high-tech, one-stop shop”, the ADaPT institute contains advanced 3D printing and nano-technology equipment. It has spearheaded research into spinal cord injuries and virtual surgeries and is involved in work on low Earth satellites.
It is currently housed in existing university buildings. The proposed new seven-storey premises, to be built opposite the light rail station on Parklands Drive, would include computer-aided design (CAD) suites, clean rooms for component assembly and 3D scanning and fabrication facilities.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor said the ADaPT building would “drive investment” across the health and knowledge precinct.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said that if built, it would ”shape whole new industries” for the Gold Coast economy.
“Griffith researchers are already working with Gilmore Space Technologies to prototype and develop a new class of low Earth orbit satellites, called the G-Satellite, set to launch in 2023,” Prof Evans said.
“This partnership will create hundreds of jobs in the region over its lifetime and will accelerate Australia’s multibillion-dollar space industry.
“Through our expertise in advanced design and prototyping, researchers are also helping to create artificial hearts, personalise spinal rehabilitation and even supporting Australia’s elite sportspeople through developments in digital twin creation.
“We have had strong levels of engagement from both levels of government and believe investing in research and development will help fuel a diversification of the region’s economy while creating a unique platform for engagement between innovative research and industry.
“Investment in ADaPT will also help to scale up further industry investment in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge precinct.”
The failure to invest in ADaPT is the latest in a succession of disappointments for backers of the precinct.
At the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games in April 2018, then ministers Cameron Dick and Kate Jones said it would “support thousands of jobs for Queenslanders and generate $2.9bn for the economy”.
Ms Jones at the time said “investor interest was strong” with four sites “already earmarked for $200m in commercial development”.
More than three years later most sites are either overgrown with weeds or in use as surface car parks.
Mr O’Connor said there had been a lack of “buy-in” at senior levels of government.
“It shouldn’t be hard to sell,” he said. “If you add up the Gold Coast University Hospital, the Gold Coast Private Hospital, the tram, the Smith St upgrade, the village in there with 2100 people or 1400 dwellings, with really good facilities, you’ve literally got billions in investment. It’s a prime area.
“It’s within an hour of Brisbane and 15 minutes of Surfers. It sells itself. But I don’t think the buy-in has been there from the top levels of the government.
“I just don’t think they’re giving it the energy they deserve. All the (state government) ministers basically are based in Brisbane.
“I just don’t think they have their head around what it needs to be.”
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