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Australian first facility provides 340 new jobs for Wollongong
A sod turning ceremony today (May 29) at the University of Wollongong marks the start of the development of a world-class research and training centre to address Australia’s future infrastructure needs.
About 340 people from the region will be employed during the construction phase on the SMART (Simulation, Modelling and Analysis for Research and Teaching) Infrastructure Facility generating employment opportunities in the construction industry up to 2011, when work is expected to be completed.
In addition, a further 36 full-time positions will be created eventually growing to more than 150 positions which will have a significant multiplier effect on the local economy. It is expected that $5 million will be contributed to the local economy annually following commissioning of the facility.
Hooker Cockram will be undertaking construction work on the SMART Facility.
The Federal Government has provided $35 million in funding through its 2009 Higher Education Endowment Fund towards the $61.8 million cost of the project.
UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton, paid special tribute to local Federal MPs Sharon Bird (Member for Cunningham) and Jennie George (Member for Throsby) for strongly supporting the proposal for the new facility. Both local MPs are taking part in today’s sod turning event.
“We believe the SMART Infrastructure Facility will make a significant contribution to the nation throughout the 21st century, by providing highly analytical and scientific support for the nation’s major infrastructure projects,” Professor Sutton said.
“Given the global situation it is important that we, as members of the Illawarra community, adopt a proactive position and seek to increase local employment opportunities. SMART meets that need and positions UOW as one of the region’s most significant employers,” he said.
Professor Sutton said the need for Australia to invest in major infrastructure was well documented, from major transport projects in roads, ports and rail to energy generation and supply, water supplies, and housing and general construction.
The SMART Infrastructure Facility will be the first of its kind in Australia, and one of a very few in the world and is designed to equip Australia to deal with future infrastructure planning in a systematic and scientific way with holistic and evidence-based evaluation of infrastructure projects and training for professionals in the field.
For further information contact the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton, on 4221 3909; or the Chief Operating Officer for the SMART Infrastructure Facility, Ms Tania Brown, on 4221 5031 or 0447 611 481.