New building boosts innovation centre of excellence

Expansion of the Brisbane Technology Park at Eight Mile Plains is further evidence of confidence in the strong and growing state economy, says Treasurer Curtis Pitt. 

Officially opening the first completed building of Park’s new Innovation Precinct, Mr Pitt said Brisbane Technology Park was already extremely well-regarded nationally. 

The Innovation Precinct is a joint venture between developers Graystone Group and Alceon Group, which will untimately deliver 20,000sqm of commercial office space including a hotel, four-level car parking station, five new office buildings, and childcare and retail facilities. 

“Since being established in 1985, Brisbane Technology Park has developed to accommodate more than 150 national and multi-national companies working in industries as diverse as biotechnology, health and medical services and products, mining, communications, electronics, and software development,” Mr Pitt said. 

“The opening of the newest building will enhance Brisbane Technology Park’s appeal as an innovation centre of excellence. 

“The building provides 4,425 sqm of commercial office space, with 1,429 sqm leased to anchor tenant Universal Communications Group, and the remainder occupied by MSS Security, payments processing company Integrapay and Black Ink Coffee merchants. 

“I was pleased to be here at Brisbane Technology Park last year for the turning of the sod event and again earlier this year to see first-hand the construction progress. 

“To see the finished product is even more impressive as it represents the concrete confidence business has in our state economy, its diversity, and the nation-leading growth it is achieving.” 

Mr Pitt said the latest project at the Park also delivered significant employment spin-offs by generating an estimated 450 construction jobs. 

He said expansion of the Brisbane Technology Park would continue with an additional $300 million in new facilities planned over the next five years. 

In 2001, the state government appointed Graystone as the development manager of Brisbane Technology Park and since then the company has been instrumental in expanding it in initially collaboration with the government with new investment now fully driven by the private sector. 

“But of course, the buildings are just the start,” Mr Pitt said. 

“It is important to note that some very notable medical and scientific breakthroughs have emerged from the businesses that have been established in Brisbane Technology Park. 

“This includes endovascular stent graft technology developed by Cook Medical to treat aortic aneurysm disease. As well as advancements in food safety technology developed by Symbio Alliance.” 

Mr Pitt said Brisbane Technology Park demonstrated the government’s ability to work with the private sector to innovate and create successful economic development outcomes for Queensland. 

“It also broadly aligns with the government’s $405 million Advance Queensland strategy to harness innovation that will create jobs now and for the future while strengthening and further diversifying our economy,” he said. 

“Assisting home-grown technological breakthroughs get traction is vital for all Queenslanders and even further afield — that’s what Advance Queensland is all about.” 

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