University welcomes decision on Union Hall

Friday, 3 September 2010

The University of Adelaide has welcomed the decision to remove Union Hall from provisional listing on the South Australian Heritage Register, announced today by the Minister for Environment and Conservation, the Hon. Paul Caica.

University of Adelaide Acting Vice-Chancellor and President Paul Duldig says the proposed building on the Union Hall site could now progress through the normal development processes after a six-month delay due to review by the SA Heritage Council.

The redevelopment, worth more than $77 million, will bring great scientific advances, top teaching and research facilities, and an estimated $230 million and 2000 jobs into the state economy over the next 2.5 years.

"This is a tremendous outcome for the University and for the state," says Mr Duldig. "This will help to ensure we remain internationally competitive as a centre of research and teaching excellence.

"The decision reflects the widespread support from students, staff, the business sector and the local community for this development of new teaching and research facilities on the North Terrace campus."

The Union Hall site will become the home of a world-leading centre for science and part of an exciting science precinct on the lower level of the North Terrace campus. It will also offer students a state-of-the-art 400 seat lecture theatre along with outstanding science laboratories.

The development is part of the University's major building program, "Building Life Impact", which aims to provide world-class facilities to accommodate rapidly expanding student numbers and research. This not only supports the State Government's University City strategy but also provides a significant contribution to the state economy through employment and investment.

Mr Duldig says that research activities are expected to continue to increase significantly in future years and new space and facilities are needed to accommodate this.

"We have the opportunity to build something that will bring far greater benefits for students and staff, for advances in science and medicine, and for the South Australian community as a whole."

The redevelopment will now be progressed through the normal development assessment channels for consideration.

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