New health innovation hub in Sydney’s east reaches new heights

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Structural work is complete on the marquee development within the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, the $600 million UNSW Health Translation Hub.

NSW Minister for Health The Hon Ryan Park MP joined UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs, Plenary Chair Paul Oppenheim and project partners atop the new tallest building in Randwick to celebrate the construction progress of what is becoming a beacon for health and life sciences innovation in the precinct.

The 35,000sqm facility is being developed by Plenary in partnership with UNSW Sydney, bringing together researchers, clinicians, educators, industry partners and public health officials to drive excellence and support the rapid translation of innovative research and education into improved patient care and better community health outcomes.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said the $600 million development is an important addition to the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct. 

“Delivered in collaboration with the NSW Government, the Health Translation Hub will bring together researchers, clinicians, educators and industry leaders. Building on over 60 years of teaching hospital affiliations, this will help grow the relationship between UNSW and the hospitals on the Randwick campus, its research institutes and health partners. This also builds on the major investments from the NSW Government in healthcare around the Randwick campus, including a $869.8 million investment which has already resulted in the development of the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building and the $658 million project currently under construction at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick,” Minister Park said.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the UNSW Health Translation Hub will deepen the University’s collaboration across the whole university with leading healthcare institutions and will offer students the opportunity to work side-by-side with researchers on real-life cases. 

 “This exciting partnership is unique in that it brings together UNSW’s brightest academic minds and students from all UNSW disciplines and faculties with leading industry to help solve significant health problems and advance progress for all. The UNSW Health Translation Hub will transform basic science and discoveries into therapies, treatments and cures, delivered directly to patients. Through our collaboration with government, industry and leading academia we will take new approaches to society’s health challenges and deliver new models of care to improve lives,” Prof Brungs said.

Plenary Chair Paul Oppenheim said Plenary is excited to be partnering with UNSW to deliver such an important project that combines Plenary’s experience in developing life sciences projects and health precincts.

“Our experience in developing and managing complex projects here and abroad makes us ideally placed to help deliver the university’s vision to change the future of health. We will co-locate the best public and private health and life science organisations within this impressive precinct,” Mr Oppenheim said.

The project is fully funded by Plenary and industry superannuation fund-backed property investor ISPT together with health and education sector superannuation funds HESTA and UniSuper.

UNSW has an initial 20-year commitment to occupy two-thirds of the facility focusing on teaching, research and community engagement. UNSW subtenants include Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre (MCCCC) and The George Institute for Global Health.

UNSW research within the HTH will focus on personalised medicine, advanced therapeutics, health system and equity, dementia, ageing well, mental health and cancer. The space will enable a unique interdisciplinary student experience and direct collaboration with industry, clinical communities and the public.

The remaining 10,000sqm of space is available to industry, providing a unique opportunity for likeminded partners to co-locate with the university and within the precinct to bring together the best in public and private innovation in education, business, research and health.

The facility is adjacent to the new Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building and includes direct connections to UNSW’s Kensington campus, the future Sydney Children’s Hospital and MCCCC, which is scheduled to open in 2025, putting the integrated precinct at the forefront of international health research and education. Due for completion in Q3 2025, it is designed to achieve the first 6 Star Green Star rating in NSW under the new Green Building Council of Australia scheme.