Ecosciences Precinct

The exterior of the Ecosciences Precinct

The Ecosciences Precinct is located at the Boggo Road Urban Village in Dutton Park, Brisbane, approximately 5 minutes drive from Brisbane’s central business district.

The $270 million precinct uses award-winning architecture and sustainable design principles to create a collaborative environment for more than 1000 scientists, dedicated to solving some of Australia's biggest environmental challenges.

The precinct houses research staff from the Queensland Government, CSIRO, The University of Queensland and other partner universities.

Science at the precinct focuses on delivering an improved understanding of our natural resources and environment, to improve their management, and is helping our key industries, including agriculture, forestry and marine industries, to develop sustainable growth strategies.

Some of the science being undertaken includes:

  • Using satellite imagery and image analysis to map vegetation, monitor land clearing, improve land-use planning and assess bush fire risk
  • Delivering environmental monitoring (soil, air and water) to guide policy decisions and management interventions
  • Collecting data about the Great Barrier Reef’s physical and biological processes and making knowledge available to a wide range of stakeholders
  • Developing biological controls for weeds and other pests in the environment.
  • Measuring fish for improved fisheries management
  • Developing control techniques for agricultural pests in livestock, cropping and horticulture industries.
  • Working to protect the endangered loggerhead turtle, with turtle numbers
  • Positioning Australia to play a role in synthetic biology to contribute to advances in areas including manufacturing, industrial biotechnology, environmental remediation, biosecurity, agriculture and healthcare research
  • Delivering innovative learning opportunities to schools, teachers and the wider community (CSIRO Education and Outreach).

For general enquiries about the precinct contact the manager, Science Infrastructure and Operations, Ecosciences Precinct, on (07) 3170 5476 or Sonya.WinningtonMartin@qld.gov.au

Features

The precinct’s state-of-the-art research facilities include laboratories, insect houses, controlled environment rooms, glasshouses, greenhouses, offices, workshops and a science education centre.

The laboratories are certified to stringent Australian Standards—Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2) and Biosecurity Containment Level 3 (BC3). PC2 is the rating for a standard, low risk research environment. The BC3 facilities allow researchers to conduct secure and carefully controlled studies on insects and bacteria to help control weeds that threaten Queensland’s ecosystems, and pests and diseases that destroy crops.

Situated adjacent to the heritage-listed Boggo Road Gaol and serviced by a major public transport hub, the precinct lies within a broader health, research and hospital precinct. Future developments include a new Cross River Rail Station at Boggo Road and Brisbane South State Secondary College.

Address

41 Boggo Road
Dutton Park Qld 4102

A working garden

An episode of ABC Gardening Australia from August 2012 looks at how the precinct's gardens were designed and built to reflect the work done at the precinct. View the video (4min 50sec).

An im-purr-fect plant

An episode of ABC Gardening Australia from March 2019 looks at the Cats Claw Creeper and biological control agents being investigated by the Queensland Government Biosecurity team to help manage this invasive plant.  View the video (6min 34sec).