QUT welcomes Red Cross move

Plans by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) to move to a new $70 million facility on Queensland University of Technology (QUT) land at Kelvin Grove have been welcomed by the university.

QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake today commended the announcement of the new development and the selection of the Kelvin Grove Urban Village as the preferred site.

ARCBS announced its operations centre would move from it current inner city location to the new facility which would house research and administration functions, and be the most modern of its kind in the country.

The premises will be in a new multi-purpose building to be contructed on a 6896sq m site owned by QUT in the centre of the urban village.

It will be adjacent to QUT's new Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, now under construction and due for completion in 2006.

"The location of the facility next to QUT's new health institute will provide exciting opportunities for additional research and development for both organisations," Professor Coaldrake said.

"The building will also house QUT health and physical activities facilities and provide an exciting environment for teaching, research and community development activities."

Professor Coaldrake also welcomed the appointment of Baulderstone Hornibrook as preferred developer for the new facility, which is expected to be ready for occupancy mid-2007.

Baulderstone Hornibrook is currently responsible for the construction of QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation.

Media contact:
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake on 07 3864 2365
Janne Rayner QUT media on 07 3864 2361 or 0407 585 901