The grant will advance adaptive reuse planning for the heritage-listed former Boggo Road Gaol and surrounding public realm, acknowledging the site’s complex history while creating an environment for future breakthroughs in partnership with on-site organisations and the local community. 

“This funding represents a significant milestone in our journey to establish BRIJ as a world-class innovation centre,” said Prof Trent Munro, General Manager of BRIJ. “We’re building momentum for our vision: a place where human and planetary health research delivers real-world impact through enabling technologies.”  

Secured by the Department of Housing and Public Works, the funding will support wayfinding and placemaking strategies to improve connectivity across the two sides of the precinct, including enhanced access via the Kent Street corridor and new communal spaces. 

“This feasibility phase is just the beginning – there’s much more exciting progress on the horizon,” added Munro. “We’re working to create an environment where scientists, educators and industry partners collaborate side by side to tackle some of the globe’s most pressing challenges.” 

Awarded by The Hon Catherine King MP, Member for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the grant was backed by Renee Coffey MP for Griffith and a coalition of Brisbane urban development advocates, setting the stage for BRIJ’s transformation into a hub where research delivers tangible community benefit. 

BRIJ’s governing council – comprising CSIRO, the Translational Research Institute, Queensland Health, Metro South Health, The University of Queensland, QIC and state government partners (Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation; Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning; Department of Primary Industries) – is working with industry to ensure innovation flourishes at Boggo Road. This collaboration aims to deliver impact for BRIJ partners, the residents of Woolloongabba and Dutton Park, and all Queenslanders.

Australia’s first large public digital hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) is undergoing a transformative A$748m expansion to meet growing demand for specialist healthcare services across Queensland.

The project, now in its major construction phase after early works began in 2024, will add four new floors above the existing emergency department. This creates 249 additional inpatient beds including 30 intensive care units, 13 new cancer treatment bays, and enhanced medical imaging, pharmacy and kitchen facilities.

Executive Director Dr Jeremy Wellwood emphasises the expansion’s importance: “As a provider of tertiary level surgical and transplant services, cancer care, trauma and rehabilitation, PAH needs the additional capacity to continue delivering more specialist services for the growing community,” he said.

Kidney care services have also received a dedicated A$5.8m upgrade, including three new high dependency bays and a refurbished dialysis unit with five additional treatment chairs.

Biotechnology expert Professor Trent Munro has been named General Manager of BRIJ, bringing more than 25 years’ experience across leading innovation districts in Australia, the US and the UK.

The appointment, announced during BIO 2025 in Boston, signals a major step in positioning the precinct as a global hub for innovation and commercialisation.

Munro’s previous roles span senior executive posts at Amgen and Microba, as well as leading biotechnology programs at the University of Queensland (UQ). He chairs Life Sciences Queensland, has advised on national biotech policy and has co-founded multiple life science ventures.

The appointment demonstrates how strategic public-private partnerships are transforming BRIJ into a long-term engine for investment, collaboration and scientific breakthroughs—backed by institutions including UQ, CSIRO, Queensland Health and Translational Research Institute.

Opening in 2026, TRI’s Translational Manufacturing facility will be Australia’s first on-demand production centre meeting rigorous cGMP standards for therapeutic products, enabling biotech, pharmaceutical and healthcare technology companies to accelerate development of next-generation treatments and devices.

Medical-grade cleanrooms, PC2-certified wetlabs and purpose-built office space empower growing companies to conduct their own manufacturing, quality testing and product development in one location. Supported by in-house technical experts and comprehensive training programs, these firms can seamlessly scale production across Phase I-III clinical trials while ensuring compliance with Australian and international regulation.

This transformative infrastructure at BRIJ removes a critical bottleneck in Australia’s commercialisation pathway, allowing innovators to advance promising discoveries – from biologics and cell-based treatments to RNA and plasmid DNA therapies – through clinical validation and into patient care with unprecedented speed and confidence.