Momentum
Cochlear Building
The new Global Headquarters for Cochlear will be located on University Avenue and set in picturesque bushland setting. Cochlear will be aggregating their research and development, testing, clean room manufacture, warehouse and distribution into one building of 26,000 m2 gross floor area of campus style accommodation.
Cochlear locating to the University campus is the foundation of the University's Centre of Excellence for Hearing and Audiology.
The Cochlear Head Office will be the only integrated research – manufacture-distribution facility in Australia. Cochlear at Macquarie will manufacture all Cochlear products and export around the world. It is estimated that at full production 5000 cochlear implants will be produced each week.
What's happening?
Updates
13 October 2009 - Tune into Construction Watch
Now you can watch the construction of the new Cochlear Building from the comfort of your office.
Refreshed every 15 minutes, the Cochlear Webcam will allow you to see firsthand the construction work taking place behind the hoardings. Bookmark and tune in today!
October 2009
The bulk excavation works are complete. The works associated with the building structure are progressing with the structure nearing the ground floor level. The structure will continue over the following few months. Macquarie's contractor has completed the Gumnut Childcare car park works, and the carpark will be opening in October 2009.
August 2009
There has been significant progress made during the month of August. Bulk Excavation across the entire length of the site has been completed and Watpac are now progressing with inground services. We have achieved a significant milestone in the pouring of the 1st ground slab for the basement areas.
- Bulk excavation is complete to the entire site
- The 1st concrete pour for the lift core has been completed
- The various service tanks have been progressing culminating in the structure of the detention areas being completed
Watpac Construction is also continuing with the design coordination of the clean room, façade and services.
Upcoming Works (provided as a guide only)
- Complete footings to entire project.
- Continue with the erection of the lift and stair core structures.
- Prepare and continue to pour the Lower Ground concrete slabs.
- Continue with the formwork of Basement 1 slabs. Basement structural work to continue.
23 July 2009 - Hear now and always: Cochlear global headquarters construction well underway
Macquarie University has recently finalised an agreement to develop the new Cochlear global headquarters, manufacturing and research facilities.
"This is a very exciting project for the University," said Dale Clark, Project Director, Office of Major Projects. "It will be the Cochlear global headquarters, and also the foundation for the University's vision to create a hearing focused Centre of Excellence in our South Precinct."
The Cochlear Head Office will be its only integrated research, manufacturing and distribution facility in Australia. The company's entire range of products will be built on site and exported around the world. At full production they expect to produce around 5,000 cochlear implants each week. The eight-storey facility will provide 24,000 square metres of floor space; a total area 1.5 times larger than the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Although the official sod-turning ceremony took place in late July, work is already well underway on the site. "Because the University had completed the site enabling works earlier this year, Cochlear were able to start work immediately," said Clark. "We have a fantastic working relationship with the Cochlear team and we are looking forward to working together to develop this impressive project."
Under agreements with Macquarie University, Cochlear will develop the building for the University, and then lease the building for an initial term of 15 years with options to extend this further. The completion of the building is anticipated by December 2010. As part of the agreement, the University will reserve adjacent land for future expansion by Cochlear.
Some of the key aspects of the building include:
- 24,000 square metres of office space enough for approximately 900 staff
- 6 storey office tower and two basement levels
- World leading, specialised manufacturing facilities
What's complete so far:
- Site clearing and Watpac (building contractor) site establishment
- Demolition of existing pavements
- Bulk and detailed excavation
- Pad footings and core commenced
- Crane assembled and operational
What's next:
- Continue with earthworks
- Further detailed excavation
- Continue with pad footings
June 2009
Watpac have taken possession of the Cochlear site and have established their site accommodation and perimeter site hoardings and fences.
The Bulk excavation and site shoring works have commenced with works to continue over the next month.
Macquarie's Contractor has continued with the Gumnut Childcare Carpark works. The retaining walls, grading and services installation are now complete.
The remainder of the works is due to be completed in August.
May 2009
The Cochlear development team (OMP, MUPIT and Cochlear) continue to progress the finalisation of the Development Deed. Cochlear have entered into a preferred Contractor negotiation with Watpac NSW Pty Ltd and currently plan to enter into the construction contract for the works at the start of April. Works will then commence on site and are forecast to be completed by mid 2010. Part of the University’s works which are either recently completed or currently underway along University Avenue and Macquarie Drive are associated with the Cochlear project and necessary for construction to commence.