2007 Annual report (PDF 8.1 Mb) - University of Melbourne

Brownless Library for BioSciences, with a
targeted opening in first semester 2009.
Following further work on the optimisation
of learning precincts as part of the
preparation of the masterplan, opportunities
to create other enhanced undergraduate
teaching spaces will be identified. The new
prototype collaborative learning classroom
in Chemistry commenced operation this
year. The leading-edge classroom is an
exemplar of the new style of teaching
space articulated in the 2006 Curriculum
Commission Report.
The University’s entire pool of over 250
shared learning spaces were reviewed
and upgraded where necessary during the
year. Seating and equipment have been
reconfigured to best meet Melbourne
Model teaching needs and to facilitate
consolidation planning. Efficiency gains
have allowed some of the spaces to
be redeveloped as Student Service
Centres. Student Service Centres, based
mainly in existing faculty offices are in
place for all new undergraduate degrees
and Graduate Schools.
Graduate and Research Needs
Strategic Priorities
> Review and implement Academic Board
policy on infrastructure for postgraduate
students
> Work together with faculties to realise
optimal infrastructure for the University’s
new Graduate Schools
> Implement improvements to research
infrastructure through more efficient
planning and use of resources and the
acquisition (by lease or purchase) of
additional research space
Achievements
Work has commenced to relocate existing
occupants from the Walter Boas building
to allow for refurbishment of spaces in
the building to cater for Research Higher
Degree students from all disciplines.
As the details of the new graduate
schools have taken shape during the
year, development plans have either been
completed or are progressing to meet the
graduate infrastructure requirements of
Economics and Commerce; Education;
Arts; Science and Architecture, Building
and Planning. Work is continuing with the
Music and Engineering Faculties to identify
potential areas for the improvement of
postgraduate-specific spaces.
Additional space has been leased to allow
the creation or expansion of a number of
groups including Geophysical Research
Laboratories for Engineering and space for
ANZSOG, the Martin Institute, the Confucius
Centre and the Islamic Studies Centre.
Planning is well under way for the
development of a Neuroscience Facility
at Parkville. The Parkville Neurosciences
Facility will house the principal research
laboratories of the newly formed Florey
Neuroscience Institute (FNI) and the
Mental Health Research Institute (MHRI).
These will complement the existing
facilities of the University, the FNI, the
MHRI as well as Neurosciences Australia
and Neurosciences Victoria at Parkville.
Existing links to St Vincent’s Hospital, the
Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Royal
Children’s Hospital will be enhanced and
strengthened. The project is expected to be
complete by late 2011.
Wireless IT
StRAtegic Priority
> Ensure that all high-use areas will have
wireless connection by the end of 2007
Achievements
Information Services is implementing
the wireless network roll out across the
campus, enhancing existing transmitters as
well as installing 200 additional nodes. The
work is due for completion by March 2008.
In other IT developments, the University
is contributing to implementation of the
Victorian Education and Research Network
(VERN) to deploy an advanced optic fibre
infrastructure network across metropolitan
Melbourne and regional Victoria. The
Faculty of Land and Food Resources
(Creswick) joined VERN in late 2007. Other
sites due to be covered in early 2008 are
Shepparton, Dookie, Werribee and Burnley.
Maintenance
StRAtegic Priority
> Implement a backlog maintenance
upgrade program
Achievements
The University has allocated $61 million
over five years to address the backlog of
maintenance associated with infrastructure
renewal at all campuses. In 2007 the
Asset Protection Program of works was
commenced. Building condition audits
completed during the year identified over
$160 million of works required in such areas
as lift replacement; air conditioning, fire
systems and lighting upgrades, structural
repairs to building façades and building
interior improvements.
The 2007 Backlog Maintenance Program
was delivered as programmed. Wherever
possible, backlog targeting maintenance
was planned to coincide with other redevelopment
projects. For example, the
structural repairs to the façade at the Frank
Tate building and Education Resource
Centre have been timed to occur while
these areas are being refurbished.
The University’s approach to addressing
its backlog maintenance was recognised
at the 2007 Annual Conference of the
Tertiary Education Facilities Management
Association (TEFMA) when the University
was awarded the inaugural TEFMA/SKM
Innovation Award.
Refurbishment and New
Facilities
In 2007 a program of capital works was
progressed to refurbish and provide new
infrastructure to enhance and support
teaching and academic and research
activities at the University and to facilitate
the introduction of the Melbourne Model.
New Buildings
The new Economics and Commerce
building to be located at 198 Berkeley St
is progressing well and is scheduled for
practical completion in December 2008
with the building to be fully operational
for teaching from the start of first
semester 2009.
The new building, with state-of-the-art
teaching and learning facilities, is set at
the south-western gateway to University
Square and is one of the first educational
buildings designed to achieve Five Star
Green Star rating. The budget for the
project is $126.2 million.
A new theatre for Melbourne Theatre
Company situated at the corner of
Southbank Boulevard and Dodd St is well
underway and on track to open in the first
quarter of 2009.The new theatre comprises
a 500-seat auditorium, a rehearsal room/
studio performance space capable of
seating 160, function and VIP rooms,
a full café and various bars, foyers and
display areas. It is being built as part of a
combined project between the University
of Melbourne and the Victorian State
Government with a budget in excess of
$53 million.
Works also commenced in late 2007 at 252
Sturt St, Southbank for new headquarters
for the Melbourne Theatre Company. The
refurbishment project is anticipated to be
completed mid 2008 at a cost of $8 million.