The first sod has ben turned to signal the start of work on the Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building – Macarthur at Campbelltown Hospital’s old helipad spot.
NSW Premier Chris Minns joined Campbelltown mayor George Greiss, local MP Greg Warren and other dignitaries for the ceremony this morning.
The $55 million building will be home to the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research – Macarthur, delivering innovation in world leading research to improve patient outcomes.
The research will have national significance, focusing on five key areas including diabetes, mental health, indigenous health, paediatrics and child wellbeing and addiction medicine.
This will complement the NSW Government’s $632 million redevelopment of Campbelltown Hospital and the broader Campbelltown health and education precinct.
Once completed, researchers and clinicians will have access to the latest research technologies, laboratories and collaboration spaces.
This locally-based expertise will enhance community access to clinical trials, serve local health needs and lead research of national significance and global impact.
The cutting-edge facility will be a tribute to the late Lang Walker AO, whose legacy reflects his generosity, and his dedication to driving change through transformative building projects for the public and private sectors.
The facility will be developed in partnership with Western Sydney University, South Western Sydney Local Health District, the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and UNSW Sydney – with the support of Walker Corporation.
“I am proud that medical research done in NSW can help improve people’s lives in areas such as diabetes and paediatrics,’’ said the premier afterwards.
Mr Warren pointed out that the Macarthur region is home to some of the best and brightest in our state, “so this new facility is a welcome addition to the community in Campbelltown”.
Walker managing director and chief executive officer David Gallant also said a few words.
“Lang knew this facility would help hundreds of thousands of people for generations to come and he’d be incredibly proud to see his namesake, the Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building reach this significant milestone,” he said.
What a great gift to the community from a major developer.
It is a great contrast to other major developers that have been making a fortune from the growth of MacArthur. The biggest developer as far as I recall has been Lendlease and despite operating in MacArthur for some 50 years I cannot recall any community project finance by this company. I suppose this is in line with the company’s policy of avoiding tax to the extent the company has a high place in the list of major companies that pay little or no tax despite making billions of profits