TOCC
March 1st, 2004, 08:56 AM
New teaching, research, recreational and cultural precincts, student accommodation, pedestrian and cycling thoroughfares, open spaces and native flora and fauna preserves are in Griffith University’s 20-year Integrated Development Plan for its flourishing Gold Coast campus.
Vice Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis said the multi-million dollar expansion of the university’s southern-most campus at Southport would marry environmental and ecological thinking with best practice in design and engineering.
Professor Davis said the project would extend the campus from its existing Parklands site of 26.5 hectares to an additional 43 hectares of land bounded by the Smith Street Motorway, Olsen Avenue, Everest and Edmund Rice drives.
“There will be a new heart at the Gold Coast campus and its students, staff, Indigenous peoples, industry and the wider community will benefit as it emerges as one of Australia’s most modern and high-tech educational hubs,” he said.
“The campus will have new entrances, with the Parklands and Smith Street locales joined by a pedestrian and a vehicle bridge, and there will be pedestrian spines connecting public open spaces with the special-use precincts.
“In keeping with Griffith’s ethos of environmental sustainability and social justice, it will be embracing these principles at every step of the long-term development process. We are indeed practising what we teach.“
The 20-year Integrated Development Plan would be realised in stages, with stage one including a student accommodation complex – the first on-site student accommodation to be built on the Gold Coast campus, followed by the creation of an Olsen Avenue entrance and new recreational facilities.
“The campus will be a true community of scholars, with open spaces and facilities which will also be accessible to the public. Among these are a hilltop plaza, a major performing arts and cultural facility servicing the district, as well as indoor and outdoor sporting facilities including ovals.
“Importantly, the natural bush space will be enhanced and rehabilitated and there will be wetlands and lakes which will be invaluable eco-environs for the region.”
Professor Davis said the Integrated Development Plan for the Gold Coast campus sets out a framework for much-needed growth, with the existing buildings and facilities nearing capacity with 9,000 students already on the Parklands site.
The plan will take two decades to realise, and it will be budgeted for over the coming years.
Education Queensland presented the title deeds for the Smith Street land to the university in December 2002 at a celebration on site with the Kombumerri People who gifted the land to Griffith.
Key features of the Integrated Development Plan include:
-A student accommodation complex on Edmund Rice Drive;
-Academic core featuring a Hilltop Plaza – the social heart of the campus; The Quad – a courtyard or gathering space; and Multimedia Square – housing fibre optic technology and facilities supporting related degree areas;
-Two bridges to connect the campus. The larger bridge for pedestrians and vehicles and the smaller for pedestrians and cyclists;
-An upgrade of Parklands entrance (University Drive) with open views into the heart of the campus and the creation of an Olsen Avenue entrance;
-Cultural and recreation precinct with indoor sports halls, a sports field, a performing arts/cultural centre and other recreational facilities;
-University research facilities, forming part of a science/research precinct;
-Additional carparking around the campus perimeter (some underground), next to the residential areas and recreational facilities;
-An open space system throughout the campus with pedestrian spines and open lawns/campus commons;
-Public pedestrian/cycling thoroughfare around the new campus perimeter with easy access into the heart of the campus.
Vice Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis said the multi-million dollar expansion of the university’s southern-most campus at Southport would marry environmental and ecological thinking with best practice in design and engineering.
Professor Davis said the project would extend the campus from its existing Parklands site of 26.5 hectares to an additional 43 hectares of land bounded by the Smith Street Motorway, Olsen Avenue, Everest and Edmund Rice drives.
“There will be a new heart at the Gold Coast campus and its students, staff, Indigenous peoples, industry and the wider community will benefit as it emerges as one of Australia’s most modern and high-tech educational hubs,” he said.
“The campus will have new entrances, with the Parklands and Smith Street locales joined by a pedestrian and a vehicle bridge, and there will be pedestrian spines connecting public open spaces with the special-use precincts.
“In keeping with Griffith’s ethos of environmental sustainability and social justice, it will be embracing these principles at every step of the long-term development process. We are indeed practising what we teach.“
The 20-year Integrated Development Plan would be realised in stages, with stage one including a student accommodation complex – the first on-site student accommodation to be built on the Gold Coast campus, followed by the creation of an Olsen Avenue entrance and new recreational facilities.
“The campus will be a true community of scholars, with open spaces and facilities which will also be accessible to the public. Among these are a hilltop plaza, a major performing arts and cultural facility servicing the district, as well as indoor and outdoor sporting facilities including ovals.
“Importantly, the natural bush space will be enhanced and rehabilitated and there will be wetlands and lakes which will be invaluable eco-environs for the region.”
Professor Davis said the Integrated Development Plan for the Gold Coast campus sets out a framework for much-needed growth, with the existing buildings and facilities nearing capacity with 9,000 students already on the Parklands site.
The plan will take two decades to realise, and it will be budgeted for over the coming years.
Education Queensland presented the title deeds for the Smith Street land to the university in December 2002 at a celebration on site with the Kombumerri People who gifted the land to Griffith.
Key features of the Integrated Development Plan include:
-A student accommodation complex on Edmund Rice Drive;
-Academic core featuring a Hilltop Plaza – the social heart of the campus; The Quad – a courtyard or gathering space; and Multimedia Square – housing fibre optic technology and facilities supporting related degree areas;
-Two bridges to connect the campus. The larger bridge for pedestrians and vehicles and the smaller for pedestrians and cyclists;
-An upgrade of Parklands entrance (University Drive) with open views into the heart of the campus and the creation of an Olsen Avenue entrance;
-Cultural and recreation precinct with indoor sports halls, a sports field, a performing arts/cultural centre and other recreational facilities;
-University research facilities, forming part of a science/research precinct;
-Additional carparking around the campus perimeter (some underground), next to the residential areas and recreational facilities;
-An open space system throughout the campus with pedestrian spines and open lawns/campus commons;
-Public pedestrian/cycling thoroughfare around the new campus perimeter with easy access into the heart of the campus.