Hunter Medical Research Institute
Securing funding and constructing a dedicated health research facility in Newcastle.
The Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) began in 1998 as a partnership between the University of Newcastle, the Hunter New England Local Health District and the community in the Hunter region. HMRI has since evolved into a world-class organisation with more than 1,600 medical researchers, students and support staff focused on treating and defeating many serious illnesses.
Its current purpose is to improve the health and wellbeing of communities through 19 key research programs, including the study of asthma and airway diseases, cancer, diabetes, mental health, nutrition, pregnancy and reproduction, stroke and more.
In its first few years, HMRI began as a virtual institute without a dedicated facility of its own. However, by 2007 it had grown to a point where it needed a specialised building to further improve the quality of research results. HMRI engaged The APP Group to help secure funding from government and other sources, and to project manage and direct the construction of its new home.
Our team began by reworking a draft business case that had been developed earlier for HMRI. We identified and acquired an alternate site that would better meet the current and future needs of the Institute. Following this, we tested the revised business case through the NSW Government’s Gateway Review process, and ultimately secured government funding for the project. Construction began in 2010 and was completed two years later.
