Monash launches first stage of science precinct construction

Monash University has officially launched the first stage of construction for its on-campus Science, Technology, Research and Innovation Precinct (STRIP), even though the first building is already well on its way up.

Victorian Minister for State and Regional Development John Brumby performed the honours for the $35 million, 13,000 square metre building.

"By building a partnership between the university and industry, the Monash STRIP is creating a unique precinct that links quality R&D with job creation," Brumby said.

The STRIP, which is being built in several stages, will bring educational and commercialisation activities side by side. Research areas planned for the STRIP include biotechnology, nanotechnology, bioinformatics and other scientific computing, and environmental technology.

"Being on a university campus means that researchers from a wide range of fields and with many different interests will spark off each other," said deputy vice-chancellor Alison Crook, who is spearheading the development of the STRIP.

Crook said that the first building had almost its full quota of tenants, including the new Biotechnology Centre of Excellence in Stem Cells and Tissue Repair.

Others are the National Centre for Advanced Cell Engineering, the Centre for Green Chemistry and IT groups.

Half of the first building is expected to house commercial companies, and negotiations are underway with a number of companies interested in becoming tenants.

Biota Holdings is the first commercial company slated to move in, with final lease arrangements underway.

"We have had a historic association with Monash in an incubator mode and feel that is working extremely well," said Hugh Niall, Biota's CEO. "We're now moving to the next stage."

The first stage of development will be completed early next year and planning for the next two buildings is already underway, according to Crook.