Green light for $200m Curtin science build

Curtin University is set to add a $200 million science building at its Bentley campus after a development panel gave the green light.

The Metro Inner Joint Development Assessment Panel today unanimously approved the university’s proposal to build a six-storey science building on Hayman Road.

The proposed Sciences Building, also known as Building 316, includes teaching laboratories, research facilities, the Western Australian School of Mines, and science learning hubs.

In the development application prepared by Taylor Burrell Barnett, Curtin University estimated the new building to accommodate 1,542 people comprising 1,019 students, 303 staff and 220 visitors.

“It’s a spectacular building. It’ll be a huge asset not just to university but for the activity centre as a whole,” JDAP presiding member Clayton Higham said.

A render of the proposed science building at Curtin University. Image: Grimshaw architects via JDAP documents

Despite a reduction in the number of required car parking bays on the site, JDAP members supported the development application.

JDAP deputy presiding member Lee O’Donohue said the building would likely be used by people who were conscious of alternative transportation methods, including public transport.

“It’s a specky looking building. I think it’ll be appropriate to be used for science,” she said at the meeting.

“There is always going to be issues with parking coming in and out of the university…but I think Curtin is on top of this.”

The new Sciences Building has been estimated to cost $200 million to build, according to the JDAP report.