$206m Medical & Nursing School building final size approved

Monday, 12 May 2014

The University of Adelaide's Council has approved final details of the new Medical and Nursing School building in Adelaide's West End, which will make the University of Adelaide the largest research presence in the State's Health and Biomedical Precinct.

The 13-storey Medical and Nursing School building will bring the number of University of Adelaide health sciences researchers in the precinct to nearly 1100.

At a total cost of $206 million, the new building will be the biggest capital works project in the University's history.

"This will confirm the University of Adelaide's longstanding leadership of health and medical research in South Australia," said the University's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Warren Bebbington.

"Health Sciences contributes nearly half of all the University's research, and its impact on the wellbeing of the community has been enormous. This new building will ensure we can support and enhance the health of South Australians long into the future."

Professor Bebbington said the University's new building will be home to more than 1500 medical and nursing students. It will be co-located with the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and SAHMRI, where four of the seven research themes are led by University of Adelaide staff.

"The University's Council has supported our view that it is absolutely imperative for the clinical work of the State's largest medical school to be alongside the State's primary teaching hospital and research institute," Professor Bebbington said.

"Patients, clinicians, teachers, students and researchers need to be together in a single location, and this will help us ensure we are able to recreate at the West End, the integrated health sciences precinct we have enjoyed for so long at Frome Road."

SA Premier, Jay Weatherill said the State Government's public investment in the Precinct was now leveraging private investment.

"Once complete, the Biomedical Precinct will employ more than 8000 people and attract the world's leading health and medical corporations to Adelaide," Mr Weatherill said.

"This investment from the University of Adelaide is an exciting and important addition to the Biomedical Precinct."

Construction is due to commence in June, to be completed in time for Semester 1, 2017.

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