Image above: Macquarie University Hospital. Image below: Macquarie University Hearing Hub)
The NSW state government has approved a concept plan for Macquarie University’s $1.7 billion commercial and education hub.
The concept plan is driving an ambitious makeover for the university’s North Ryde 126-hectare campus. It includes an additional 400,000sqm of commercial building space, compared to just 61,200sqm of extra academic space.
Student accommodation will be built to house an additional 3,450 students, to help Macquarie cope with an expected increase in student numbers from 31,000 to 55,000 over the next 25 years.
The plan includes the $180 million Macquarie University Hospital, a $92 million Learning and Research Centre, as well as student housing costing $110 million and the $70 million U@MQ Hub both of which are due for completion early 2012.
In addition, the concept plan covers Cochlear Ltd’s $130 million global headquarters, due for completion mid-2010 and the $300 million Station Precinct.
A limited design competition has been commissioned for the station precinct, with Cox Richardson, Fitzpatrick and Partners and Bates Smart vying for this important site.
The project support’s the government’s plan to expand a expand major economic corridor that starts at Macquarie Park and runs through the Sydney and North Sydney CBDs, the Green Square area and Sydney Airport.
“The approved concept plan brings together the best there is to offer in academic and commercial opportunities,” NSW premier Nathan Rees said.
Vice chancellor of Macquarie University Professor Schwartz said he was delighted that state government had declared Macquarie University a site of state significance.
“Macquarie is well on its way to reaching its goal of becoming one of Australia’s top research universities,” Schwartz said.
“We can now move forward with even more confidence was we plan for the future and with our University Concept Plan, Macquarie will attract more industry partners,” Schwartz said.
Initiatives including the incorporation of water sensitive urban design, cogeneration and trigeneration, and reticulated waste water use, are among numerous infrastructure initiatives being developed by Macquarie University’s Office of Major Projects.
