UWS breaks new ground with state-of-the-art science facility for Parramatta

University of Western Sydney Chancellor, Professor Peter Shergold, has turned the first sod to mark the start of construction on the new state-of-the-art science facility for the UWS Parramatta campus.

Joining Professor Shergold for the milestone was State Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee, and Parramatta Lord Mayor, Cr Scott Lloyd, Dean of the School of Science and Health, Professor Gregory Kolt, along with other members of the UWS student and staff community.

The new $30 million building will accommodate the University's School of Science and Health, the Advanced Materials Characterisation Facility, and the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, and will have capacity for over 400 students and staff.

Professor Shergold says the new three-storey, environmental sustainable building is a vital infrastructure project for the bustling Parramatta campus.

"Across every single one of the University's campuses we are continuing to build new buildings and improve facilities for students and staff, and our Parramatta campus is no exception," says Professor Shergold.

"This will be a much-anticipated new building for Parramatta, providing the very best contemporary teaching spaces and scientific research laboratories for both our undergraduate and postgraduate student population."

Professor Kolt says the project, which is a partnership with the University's School of Social Sciences and Psychology, has been a long time coming.

"The new facility will allow the University to offer more science, social sciences and psychology courses at the Parramatta campus," says Professor Kolt.

"Importantly, being co-located in one central building will also result in greater teaching and research collaborations across the disciplines.

"The building, which has a total floor area of 4,600 square metres, will include undergraduate science teaching laboratories, an advanced simulation lab for collaborative science learning, science research laboratories, high-tech spaces for materials testing and equipment, social science teaching spaces, psychology research labs and an art therapy studio.

The building is being designed as a 6-star green facility, with a state-of-the-art mechanical system designed to operate within the power limitations set for the campus.

Completion of the building is expected mid-2016.

Ends

19 March 2015

Photos: Sally Tsoutas

Media contact: Amanda Whibley, Manager Media and Public Relations