Site for Hunter Technology Centre, Rankin Drive

About the original

DescriptionMr Norrie Ayton, Clerk of Works, and Mr Lionel Wisby inspect the site if the main building for the Hunter Technology Development Centre. This photo appeared in the News, Volume 13, Number 3, 16 to 30 March, 1987. The text was: "Centre to stimulate industies under way The Hunter technology Development Centre -an independent project dedicated to the improvement and diversification of Region's industrial base for the creation of more jobs -is being built in the University's grounds. A building form which the centre will initially operate has been almost completed at the Faculty of Engineering and site clearance preparations for the much larger main complex have been undertaken adjacent the Kintaiba Community Child Care Centre. The two projects required funding of approximately $5,000,000 being provided by the Federal and New South Wales Governments through the Steel Regions and Advanced Technology Programmes. An allocation of 1,000,000 for equipment is included. Mr Lionel Wisby, Director of the Hunter Technology Development Centre, sees the centre as stimulating existing and new companies and individuals to develop new product and goods for export and providing a technological resource and consulting base for the region. "There is a huge range of venture capital in Australia and when this is linked with technological skills, such as those available at Newcastle University, it usually results in successful commercialisation', he said. The centre's initial administration will be carried out in the annexe to the Faculty of Engineering, a building costing $500,000 with 750 square-metre floor area. Mr Wisby describes it as "the centre's eventual hardware area', because it will house machines and prototypes of manufacturing processes. He is looking forward to TURNA Ltd., the University's research and education consultancy, participating actively in various co-operative ventures with the centre. The overall programme for the development of the $3,000,000 main complex embodies: "Ã‚Â½The provision of an entrance in Rankin Drive, and a car park with access from the University. "Ã‚Â½The erection of a two-story building with 2,750 square-metres floor space "Ã‚Â½The division of the building into areas for offices and facilities, conference and meeting rooms, computing and data processing facilities, audio-visual facilities, exhibitions, quality assurance, an advanced manufacturing centre, incubator and research laboratories, an information service, consultant s' offices and other uses, including possibly an atrium for environmental research. "People wanting to set up commercial enterprises will be able to obtain "incubator space, interact with each other's ideas and gain technology skills,' Mr Wisby said "We'll even assist them to obtain finance and learn about marketing'. Asked for comment on the University's role in the project, the Director said it was up to the staff to participate or not, in the Centre's functions, but if they wanted to "walk the extra mile and work to turn the Hunter Region and Australia around economically' he was pleased to co-operate." This image was scanned from a photograph in the University's historical photographic collection held by Special Collections. If you would like to comment on the photograph, please contact Special Collections or add a Recollection, using these instructions.InformationDatenot specifiedSourcehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/2546846318/

IdentifierP608

Relates to

CollectionUniversity of Newcastle HistorySubjectUniversity of Newcastle (N.S.W.)Newcastle (N.S.W.)Hunter Technology CentreHunter Technology CenterNorrie AytonLionel Wisby

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RestrictionsThe image can be used for study and personal research purposes. If you wish to reproduce this image for any other purpose please contact Special Collections. Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

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