Source: Queensland Government

Published: 9 February, 2010

Queensland has cemented its reputation as a dynamic medical research and development hub with work beginning on a $179 million centre at Herston in Brisbane.

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Centre at Herston in Brisbane will create about 360 jobs during construction.

"This is fantastic news for research and development in this state, and indeed Australia," Ms Bligh said today.

"This centre will be home to 20 new research laboratories and staffed by 400 scientists and students.

"This is a major investment which will support work on such critical areas as tropical diseases, vaccine development, cancer and genetics, and serious mental illness.

"The first sod was turned today and the centre will be completed in early 2012. "

The new centre, at the site of the old Queensland Radium Institute, has been funded by state and federal governments and by Atlantic Philanthropies.

Atlantic Philanthropies was established by Mr Chuck Feeney and has invested and committed more than $270 million to scientific and medical research in Queensland.

"During my recent trade mission to the United States I was lucky enough to meet with Mr Feeney in San Francisco and I passed on the gratitude of the Queensland people for his continued interest in our State," said the Premier.

Ms Bligh said the Centre will increase the capability of QIMR to further its research in areas such as tropical diseases, vaccine development, cancer and genetics.

"It will also see the introduction of a Mental Health Research Division with brain neuro-imaging facilities.

"This will enable QIMR to improve the understanding of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

"The centre will allow for a significant expansion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, with room for 20 extra scientists researching cancer, asthma, rheumatic heart disease, dementia and maternal and child health."

Ms Bligh said an Education Centre, which is part of the project, features a state of the art high school research laboratory for teacher and student workshops.

"It will contain a training centre and a 120 seat auditorium, which will allow an extension of QIMR's public lecture program," she said.

The Premier said massive investments by the Queensland Government with major private donations and Federal Government input had transformed Queensland's scientific community in little more than a decade.

"Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show 8,500 scientists in Qld in 1997/98, compared with 15,800 in New South Wales and 15,600 in Victoria.

"In 2008/09, we have 18,100 scientists in Queensland, 18,400 in New South Wales and 24,000 in Victoria - we have made great strides forward.

"This momentum hasn't stopped and our scientific community continues to expand.

"This new centre joins the new eco science precinct at Boggo Road, our Translational Research Institute at Princess Alexandra Hospital and QUT's Science and Technology and Community Precinct which are under construction.

"New scientific infrastructure like this is making Queensland a world player in the vital areas of biotechnology, medical research and environmental research."

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