New EMAI biosecurity laboratories win Premier’s Award

The recent construction of new biosecurity laboratory facilities at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) has won the Building Infrastructure Award in the Premier’s Awards for Public Service.

The Master Builders Association has also recognised the project.

"This is fantastic recognition of the efforts of all involved in the DPI project management team," said DPI’s Biosecurity NSW executive director Bruce Christie.

The $57m construction project overcame complex challenges in creating multi-faceted, highly technical laboratories to the latest international standards.

Mr Christie called it "a tribute to all the hardworking people who ensured the construction was delivered to the highest standards, 12 months ahead of time and within budget.

"The works have brought EMAI up to the latest international laboratory standards and will help protect NSW from animal, plant and aquatic pests and diseases for decades to come."

The new Centre includes:

• New plant biosecurity facilities capable of handling a large scale emergency plant disease outbreak;
• New high level containment facilities to expand EMAI's capacity to handle a large scale emergency animal disease outbreak; and
• Upgrades of site infrastructure including waste management, power, gas, site security and stormwater management.

The Master Builders Association conferred a merit award for tertiary buildings between $20m and $50m as part of its Excellence in Construction Awards.

The MBA has no specific category for laboratory buildings, so EMAI entered the tertiary buildings award category.

The project also previously won three categories in the Australian Institute of Project Management’s NSW Chapter annual awards.

In the AIPM NSW awards the project was named Best Project Under $100M, and Best Project of the Year, and Tony McCabe of NSW Department of Public Works was named Best Project Manager.

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