Following the successful completion of the Engineering and Innovation Place in Townsville recently, BESIX Watpac has been appointed to deliver Stage 2 of the Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC) for James Cook University. This marks the fifth project our Australian colleagues are delivering for James Cook University. Congratulations, BESIX Watpac!
The project includes the construction of a purpose-designed, 4-storey teaching and research facility spanning 3,500 m² with the aim to elevate tropical studies. The building forms part of the Far North Queensland Health Innovation Precinct and will stand alongside Cairns Hospital’s new surgical centre. Notably, the building will feature a pioneering Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structure, a first for the region.
Throughout the project lifecycle, BESIX Watpac remains committed to fostering Indigenous participation and supporting local businesses. Building upon the active engagement established in the past years, the project aims for a 6 % Indigenous participation target.
Works on the new facility already kicked-off last summer with a smoking & sod-turning Ceremony on-site. Recently, the teams completed the earthworks and piling works, marking a significant step forward in the project. We wish our colleagues in Australia all the success in completing this remarkable facility for James Cook University!
“We are excited to contribute to the development of CTEC, a facility that will undoubtedly shape the future of tropical research and education. BESIX Watpac is firmly established in the region and our local team will bring a strong focus on delivering a high-quality facility for James Cook University.” - Wade Cummins, General Manager of BESIX Watpac for the regions Queensland, the Northern Territory and New Zealand.
BESIX Watpac and James Cook University boast a longstanding partnership spanning 15 years. Previous collaborations include the Ideas Lab in Cairns, the Australian Tropical Science & Innovation Precinct, and the Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine and Translational Research Facility in Townsville. Most recently, they also completed the Engineering and Innovation Place in Townsville, which will bring all the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) disciplines together in one collaborative environment.
