The first stage of the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct has started to take shape as site works commenced, with aged care beds, affordable housing and Western Australia's first Medihotel planned on the 9.6-hectare site.
Adjacent to Fiona Stanley Hospital, the precinct will be developed in two stages over 10 to 15 years to become a major hub delivering jobs, houses, and leading health and research facilities.
Developer Fini Group's plans for the first stage of the precinct includes WA's first Medihotel, 175 apartments, a 150-bed aged care facility, a 6,480 square metre super-medical clinic, short-stay accommodation, and 6,080 square metres of commercial, retail and amenity space.
Fini Group is seeking medical and commercial tenants for 12,500sq m in its $200 million five-building development.
[Related reading: Health & Knowledge Precinct set to Create New Commercial and Residential Opportunities]Health Minister Roger Cook said the Medihotel will become a specialist hotel designed to support patients discharged from hospital but who are still recovering, and will provide them with a comfortable, innovative and family friendly environment in which to receive ongoing care.
"It's a simple solution to free up expensive hospital beds so more patients can be treated and wait lists shortened," he said.
It is envisaged the broader Murdoch Activity Centre will eventually be home to 35,000 jobs, 22,000 residents and up to 44,000 students.
The land infrastructure and public spaces will be developed to build diverse, higher density, mixed-use buildings on the created lots in accordance with a project Structure Plan and Design Guidelines.
The precinct will help reduce car dependence by providing excellent access to the nearby Murdoch bus and train interchange, promote walking and cycling, with safe pedestrian links and bicycle pathways incorporated throughout the Murdoch Health & Knowledge Precinct. Excellent bus connections will flow through the project’s “Main Street” Barry Marshall Parade, which is planned to enable upgrading to rapid bus transit or light rail systems in the future.
Completion of stage one civil works is anticipated in mid-2018, while the Medihotel facility is expected to open its doors in 2021.
