Kids at heart of facility
$80m health, education centre to join precinct
CONSTRUCTION is to start on an $80 million specialist children’s health and education centre at the Southport Health and Knowledge precinct this year.
New State Development Minister Kate Jones yesterday announced the project, which is expected to create 900 health and teaching jobs.
The project (pictured), Proxima, will be built by health developer Evans Long and located within Lumina, a 9.5 hectare area the Government has dedicated to life sciences, health and technology-related businesses.
Evans Long is the second organisation and first private commercial developer to join Lumina since the State Government received handover of the land, previously used as part of the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village. The Lumina commercial cluster will sit near the Smith Collective, which is a residential village now occupying the former athletes’ accommodation.
Ms Jones said the project was the first of many developments at the precinct, as part of the plan to get the economy moving post coronavirus.
She committed to revitalising the Precinct Partnership Group to give Gold Coast leaders including Mayor Tom Tate greater oversight and input into the future of the precinct.
“We’re partnering with the private sector to deliver largescale infrastructure projects that will create jobs on the Gold Coast,” Ms Jones said.
“We want to see cranes in the sky because we know projects like this will be crucial when it comes to fast-tracking our economic recovery.
“The development we’ve announced will include five levels of commercial space, and a childcare centre that will cater for up to 400 children including those with special needs.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project would help diversify the Gold Coast economy.
“Evans Long has an incredible vision for this building,” the Premier said.
“It will complement the entire precinct offering and create up to 900 highly skilled jobs when fully occupied.”
Evans Long managing director Matthew Evans said position within the precinct allowed tenants to engage and collaborate with the research and development at the Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast Private Hospital and Griffith University.
“We have already had strong interest from potential tenants and we’re confident our location and cutting-edge design will attract a range of businesses that will benefit from basing their operations in the heart of what will be a vibrant centre for research and innovation,” Mr Evans said.
“With eight levels overlooking the neighbouring hospitals and university, we have been fielding inquiries from forward-thinking businesses who want to be at the forefront of early childhood development, care, research, diagnosis and treatment.”