Geelong Future Economy Precinct – Infrastructure development

Deakin’s Waurn Ponds Campus is becoming the epicentre of world-leading research and innovation with the development of the new Geelong Future Economy Precinct.

The large-scale 543ha site will attract and host global leaders working in the areas of advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, sustainability, technology, health and high-value agricultural initiatives with strong research links.

The broader Precinct development project will also establish Deakin as a world leader in sustainable infrastructure design, through projects such as Carbon Neutral 2025, targeting 100% renewable energy use by 2025; and the Integrated Water Management project, incorporating sustainable water management throughout the precinct and campus.

Driving Geelong’s ‘knowledge economy’

With unparalleled scale, services, infrastructure, human capital and collaborative research capability, the Geelong Future Economy Precinct will be a key driver of the region’s economic transition into a highly productive ‘knowledge economy’.

The site replaces and extends on the former Waurn Ponds Technology Precinct, which has undergone major development over the last 10 years. The site is already home to several world-leading research, carbon fibre and advanced manufacturing enterprises, which has seen the creation of 2,000 knowledge jobs. This includes ISSRI, Carbon Nexus, Carbon Revolution and ManuFutures, with further projects in development including the AquaFI Hub and the expansion of ManuFutures2.

Sustainable development

Deakin is undertaking a staged approach to sustainable infrastructure development that will maximise the long-term growth and potential of the Precinct and its users.

The development of the Precinct will also enable world-class research into small-scale infrastructure development, providing a model that could be adopted around the globe. Founded in the Precinct, FormFlow is a world-first metal bending company that is developing technologies to provide low-cost housing, addressing Australia's housing affordability, accessibility and sustainability.

Improved campus access and services

Precinct development has expanded the existing infrastructure to provide the necessary services such as:

• internal road access to previously undeveloped land
• extend and upgrade services infrastructure
• opportunities for implementing sustainability initiatives.

Project components

Completed:

• Nicol Drive South Extension: Internal road network has been extended 700m beyond Waurn Ponds Estate to facilitate access to the Solar Farm and future partnerships within the precinct.
• Renewable Energy Microgrid: A 7.25 megawatt solar energy system and associated research centre, reducing Deakin's energy consumption by 50%.
• Campus Entrance Upgrades: Traffic signals have been installed at both intersections on Pigdons Road, at Alfred Deakin Drive (Entrance 1) and Nicol Drive North (Entrance 2).
• Nicol Drive North Extension: Internal road network has been extended beyond ManuFutures to service future development and expansion opportunities.

In delivery:

• Epworth Place Roadway Extension: Roadway currently being extended by 1km to provide a new alternative entrance from Epworth Place to access the Geelong Future Economy Precinct. The roadway uses thousands of recycled ink cartridges from our campuses to form the top capping layer ‘Reconophalt’, developed by Deakin's Institute of Frontier Materials.