QIMR reaches new heights

The Herston skyline has changed forever with the construction of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research’s (QIMR) Smart State Medical Research Centre.

The 15 floor research facility has reached the ‘topping out’ stage and will be ready to accommodate an additional 400 scientists in early 2012.

“This is an important milestone for QIMR,” said the Professor Frank Gannon, QIMR’s Director. “Seeing the building taking shape inspires us to continue to ensure that our research will have an impact on improving the health of all Australians.”

“Our new facility will include an additional 20 purpose built research laboratories and serve to link our two existing buildings, the Bancroft Centre and Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre to make an impressive new Queensland Institute of Medical Research.”

“The new building will give QIMR a significant unified presence along Herston Road, with a street-facing lobby to welcome visitors and a covered driveway entrance for incoming vehicles.”

Watpac Managing Director, Greg Kempton, said the building is well ahead of schedule.

“It has been a pleasure working with QIMR over the past 18 months constructing this world-class facility that will become a hub for life-saving research,” Mr Kempton said.

“With the highly technical aspects inherent in such a project, our team has had the opportunity to utilise and expand on their skills and knowledge, and ultimately contribute to the work of QIMR.

“We are looking forward to seeing scientists, other QIMR employees, and students alike enjoy this facility upon completion.”

The capital expansion was made possible by a most generous gift from The Atlantic Philanthropies, and funding from the State and Federal Governments as part of the Nation-building Economic Stimulus Plan.

It will increase QIMR’s current research capacity in areas such as tropical diseases, vaccine development, cancer and genetics. It will allow the development of a new Mental Health Research Division, as well as the expansion of QIMR’s highly successful Education Program.