Tuesday, 23 September 2014 10:00

Lincoln Hub taking shape

Written by Sudesh Kissun

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The five partners of the Lincoln Hub have appointed the architect for the first phase of the project.

The Lincoln Hub involves research, education and industry that will transform the productivity and performance of New Zealand and the world's primary sector. The five founding partners are AgResearch, DairyNZ, Landcare Research, Lincoln University and Plant & Food Research.

Hub chairman Graham Stuart says a consortium of Warren and Mahoney, Woods Bagot, Boffa Miskell and Powell Fenwick (WAM consortium) has been selected to produce a master plan for the hub.

"This involves identifying and collating the facilities requirements of each of the five partners as well as potential industry involvement," he says.

"The WAM consortium brings together a broad-based, multi-consultancy team with experience in large, complex master planning projects. These include the award-winning South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) which houses 700 researchers; as well as many other notable buildings in New Zealand and Australia."

WAM consortium project leader Graeme Finlay says they are excited to be engaged to help develop the concept for the Lincoln Hub. "The hub is a truly visionary project which will play a critical part in the growth of not only the regional but also the national economy."

Stuart says the master plan will be completed for presentation to the Science and Innovation Minister in November. Concept design will start once the master plan is approved.

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