Curtin University’s council has given final approval for the development of a Resources and Chemistry Research and Education Precinct, which is expected to attract $200 million of capital spending over the next five years.
Curtin University’s council has given final approval for the development of a Resources and Chemistry Research and Education Precinct, which is expected to attract $200 million of capital spending over the next five years.
Curtin recently approved the relocation of its department of applied chemistry to the new precinct at the southern end of its campus, at a cost of $45 million.
It followed the state government’s decision two years ago to spend $30 million relocating its chemistry centre from East Perth.
In addition, CSIRO Minerals has agreed to spend $12 million to expand its existing laboratory facilities.
Two cooperative research centres with a strong focus on the mining industry will be moving their operations to the precinct.
The Parker Centre, which is focused on minerals processing and attracts funding from some of the world’s biggest mining companies, is moving from its current headquarters at Murdoch University, while the CRC for Sustainable Resource Processing is moving from the Australian Resources Research Centre in Kensington.
AMIRA International, a mining industry association that is currently managing 40 research projects and attracts about $15 million in annual industry funding, is moving its Perth office to the precinct.
In addition, WA Business News understands that BHP Billiton and Alcoa plan to invest directly in the new precinct and locate some of their R&D activities there.
The precinct will have at least 275 professional staff, making it one of the biggest collections of scientists focusing on mining and metallurgy anywhere in the world.
CSIRO Minerals site manager John Farrow said it was hoped the new precinct would attract mining research groups from overseas.
It follows the establishment of an equally important oil and gas research centre at the northern end of Curtin’s campus.
The Western Australian Energy Research Alliance has gained backing from Curtin, the University of WA, the state government, Woodside Petroleum and Chevron and aims to become one of the world’s top three centres of excellence in oil and gas engineering.
Both centres are contained within the state government’s proposed technology precinct, which also incorporates the Curtin campus and Technology Park.
Curtin vice-chancellor Lance Twomey, speaking to WA Business News on the eve of his retirement, said the planned development of the resources and chemistry precinct was one of the highlights of his time at the university.
“It’s like having a technology park with an absolute focus on chemistry and resources,” Professor Twomey said.
He said the federal government had provided $5 million towards the capital cost and Curtin was negotiating with a major mining company to make a similar contribution.
The main building in the precinct would have two wings linked by a four-storey central foyer, which would include a courtyard and coffee shops to encourage interaction among the workers.
“The buildings will be designed so that people must come together,” Professor Twomey said.
He said Curtin was negotiating with the state government to develop a new high school with a strong focus on maths, physics, chemistry and technology within the precinct.
