A $48.6 million hub for research and education in plant and animal sciences, food production and security, animal health, and water and environmental sciences will be officially opened at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 21 September.

 

Known as the National Life Sciences Hub (NaLSH), the 4 000 square metre complex will be opened by the Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education and Skills, The Hon. Sharon Bird, MP.

 

CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Vann, said, “This impressive building is about providing a space where applied and fundamental researchers can be innovative and ultimately produce science for the benefit of Australia, particularly for our agricultural sector. Its location in regional Australia in the heart of the Murray Darling Basin will help the scientists engage with rural industries, agencies and students. “

 

The facility includes three flexible learning and teaching areas which each hold up to 50 students; four large research laboratory spaces including quarantine-approved research areas; a phytotron building housing controlled environment and growth chambers; three glasshouses; research and teaching support areas such as offices, plant rooms and bike storage; and a rhizolysimeter – an underground field laboratory which opened in 2011.

 

Acting Executive Dean of the University’s Faculty of Science, Associate Professor Heather Cavanagh, said, “The NaLSH will ensure that Charles Sturt University is able to deliver world-class science education and research training in regional Australia. It will enable us to further develop major research projects that will help to ensure the sustainability of our regional communities well into the future.”

 

Executive Director of CSU’s Division of Facilities Management and Director of the NaLSH project, Mr Stephen Butt, said, “One of the strengths of this new building is its sustainability. Its design, which strives for a five start Green Star accreditation from the Green Building Council of Australia, employs a range of innovative features including the use of second-hand bricks for its façade.”

 

NaLSH has been funded with $34 million from the Australian federal government’s Education Investment Fund and $14.6 million from CSU.

 

Project director was Savills Project Management, design by BVN Architecture and head building contractor Joss Construction.