The new CSIRO Bioscience Entomology Building, built by Manteena, was officially opened by Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
In opening the new building, Senator Carr said the Australian Government was proud to have funded this important new facility at a cost of $14.7 million; that will house fifty-six staff; which features a host of green building technologies to conserve energy and water; and which meets the Gene Technology Regulator’s stringent physical containment requirements.
Built by Manteena under Construction Management arrangements, the building features include a highly insulated building envelope, clad with a recyclable material to internalise thermal mass and skylights to provide indirect natural lighting. Heating and cooling energy consumption issues are also addressed through the installation of; a 200,000 litre chilled water (thermal energy storage) tank, refrigerants with low or zero-ozone-depleting potential and a solar boosted gas-fired hot water plant.
Senator the Hon Kim Carr
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
“These new laboratories will enhance CSIRO’s ability to help Australian industries move to the bioeconomy, an economy with the potential to reduce Australia’s reliance on traditional sources of energy,” Senator Carr said.
Designed to comply with the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s PC2 safety rating, the new laboratories will facilitate collaborative research with many of CSIRO Entomology’s key partners including; rural industry research corporations, universities, multi-national companies and other CSIRO divisions.
CSIRO Chief Executive Officer, Dr Megan Clark, said the new facilities replaced laboratories located in the Division’s original main building.
“The research facilities in CSIRO Entomology’s 1929, heritage-listed building were obviously not designed with today’s strict biocontainment requirements in mind,” Dr Clark said.
“Not only do the new laboratories provide CSIRO scientists and visiting colleagues with access to the best available equipment, but the new building has also been designed and built with ‘green’ considerations foremost in mind.
“I’m also pleased to say that the project was delivered on budget and with no safety incidents”.
