It is great to be able to highlight what’s happening across the Property Council’s NSW division as well showcasing some of the great achievements happening right here in the Hunter.
This newsletter provides us with an important platform to share the work the Property Council is doing to advocate for changes or improvements across a broad range of policy issues such as housing affordability, biodiversity and building regulations just to name a few. It’s also a great way to share information with you about our range of events and education forums.
I am looking forward to promoting the achievements of our Hunter members and invite you to contact me to talk about what’s happening in your business or maybe to share what you would like to hear more about in our newsletter as well as at our events.
As part of our series of events across the year we host a number of boardroom lunch events which give us an opportunity in an invite only forum to discuss some of the more complex policy areas in more detail with senior government or ministerial representatives. This month, in partnership with Colliers International, we will hold a boardroom lunch event with the Minister for Planning, The Hon Rob Stokes, and I look forward to sharing the outcomes of that with you.
Don’t forget to reach out with your news or feedback and enjoy your week!
Anita
Flagship facility for University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle recently unveiled plans for a flagship facility at its Callaghan campus,
heralded as its largest infrastructure spend to date. The $200 million investment by the University, which incorporates the main building and surrounding precinct works, will redefine the way its staff and students collaborate. The facility will integrate the study areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM), with a unique design that blurs typical boundaries between education and research.
Moving away from traditional academic building designs of long corridors, tucked away rooms and doorways, the highly-adaptable design features open entrances, glass walls and interaction spaces to put both research and learning “on show” and enable students and researchers to interact freely with one another. First works on the four-storey project will start in late 2019, with the facility due to open in 2023. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, said the new STEMM facility would enable the University’s researchers and graduates to make powerful contributions to both emerging and established industries.
“STEMM skills will power global economies long into the future and are the lifeblood of emerging knowledge-based industries such as biotechnology, information and communication technology, and advanced manufacturing,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“These skills also underpin the competitive advantage we need for our established industries like agriculture, healthcare and resources.
“This investment – the largest in the University’s history – will reinforce our place on the research and education world stage, making our staff and students some of the most sought after in the world,” he said.
The flagship facility is part of the University’s STEMM precinct program, which includes further investment in new buildings and redevelopment works at Callaghan.
“Longer term, we have ambitions to accommodate leading STEMM companies within our new campus precinct, and to embed work-integrated learning into every undergraduate degree we offer. This will enrich our students’ experience and will ensure we are delivering competitive, job-ready graduates,” Professor Zelinsky said.
Lyons, in partnership with Newcastle practice EJE Architects, was chosen as the principal design consultant for the project. Lyons’ director, Neil Appleton, said the design would allow for teaching and learning to blend with research across all levels of the building. “We were interested in designing a building that had everything on show. Rather than research disciplines and teaching being hidden away, we’ve designed a very transparent, open and accessible environment that encourages students to explore the building, move freely and interact with researchers and academics.”
The design is large yet low-scale, creating a “horizontal icon” within Callaghan’s bush setting, appearing to float above the ground. Designed to be highly sustainable, the building aims to achieve a six-star Green Building Council of Australia rating through features such as an engineered timber structure and high performance double glazing to reduce energy requirements for cooling and heating.
EJE Director Anthony Furniss said the design response was to bring the University’s vast STEMM programs together into a building which still complemented its bushland surroundings. “The building’s design enables occupants to be within relative close proximity to one another both physically and visibly,” Mr Furniss said.
“In creating the concept, our vision was broadly similar to when we developed NeW Space,” Mr Appleton added.
“To create a memorable and much-loved architecture that represents the University’s strategic aspirations to the world. In this case, it’s about creating a creative locus for STEMM learning, research and development.”
New deal sees three years of direct flights between Hunter and Auckland
Newcastle Airport and Virgin Australia have made the exciting announcement of a three-year partnership to continue flying direct services between the Hunter and Auckland.
Virgin Australia will operate three return services per week during the peak holiday period from 21 November 2019 to 16 February 2020, with potential to grow over subsequent years.
“In what is a great sign of confidence in the region, we have formalised an agreement to continue connecting these two harbour cities for at least the next three years,” Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said.
“On the back of the successes of last year, we are thrilled to provide some clarity and certainty around the longevity of these flights, which cement us as an international airport.
“The first season was a real success, delivering an estimated $5.4million in economic benefit into our region. Importantly, 38% of holiday travellers were visiting the Hunter for the first time, which indicates this direct service stimulated new demand.
“The service also provided thousands of locals with the opportunity to visit Auckland for the first time. In fact, 30% of Australian leisure travellers made their inaugural visit to the New Zealand city via this direct service.”
This is a fantastic outcome, placing the Hunter on the map as a key destination for domestic and international visitors with so many ongoing benefits for the region to be realised.