Project name
Biosciences Research Centre Project (AgriBio)
Value
$288 million (Net Present Value, as at May 2009)
Status
Service delivery commenced
Department or agency
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) in joint venture with La Trobe University (La Trobe)
Private sector partner Plenary Research comprising Plenary Group, Grocon Pty Ltd and Honeywell Limited
Description
The Victorian Government, through DPI, and La Trobe are investing in a new world-class facility for agricultural biosciences research and development.
The facility is known as AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience. On 27 May 2009 it was announced that the Plenary Research Consortium would design, build, finance and maintain AgriBio via a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
To be built at La Trobe’s Bundoora campus in Melbourne’s north, AgriBio will:
- further strengthen Victoria’s international reputation for plant, animal and microbial bioscience and bioprotection research and diagnostics;
- focus new-generation biosciences on threats such as climate change to Victoria’s agricultural exports;
- improve Victoria’s international competitiveness by facilitating the development of new generation crops and animals increasingly focussed on drought tolerance and bioenergy;
- enhance capacity for preparedness, rapid detection, response and management of plant and animal pest and disease outbreaks, to protect Victoria’s $11.8 billion agricultural sector;
- attract world-leading scientists and collaborators;
- achieve energy efficiency, and will be an environmentally and ecologically sustainable facility; and
- provide linkages to commercial partners, to increase opportunities for research investment and commercialisation.
The Bioscience Research Centre will accommodate up to 400 staff – including scientists, students and business support staff - from DPI and La Trobe.
DPI and La Trobe has engaged Major Projects Victoria, a division of the Victorian Department of Business and Innovation, to manage procurement and delivery of the facility on behalf of the Joint Venture participants, up to Commercial Acceptance.
Construction has been completed as the facility achieved Commercial Acceptance on 18 July 2012.
Contact information
Trevor Angst
Director, Capital Projects
Phone: 03 9651 9146
Email: trevor.angst@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Related information
Tenders VIC - Biosciences Research Centre Project Contract - BRC1