The Kids to move to QEII site
The Board of The Kids for Child Health Research has confirmed that the Institute is planning to move to the QEII site.
Board Chairman Mr John Langoulant said it was important for the Institute's research and clinical programs that it continued to be located near Princess Margaret Hospital for Children when that facility moves in 2016.
"Our researchers have built close collaborations with the hospital and many of them hold dual positions with us and PMH," Mr Langoulant said.
"This maximises our ability to be responsive to emerging clinical issues and also to ensure that the results of our research are used in the most timely and effective manner."
Mr Langoulant said the Board is negotiating for a site on the QEII campus and had made preliminary plans for a new building.
"The announcement by the State Government on the weekend allows us to move forward with confidence with our planning for the move to QEII," he said.
"With more than 450 staff and students, the Institute has outgrown its Subiaco building and needs further accommodation for our rapidly expanding workforce. What's not clear at the moment is whether we will operate at two sites or move entirely to the QEII campus.
"However what is clear is that it is going to be a very expensive exercise and we will need substantial support from State and Federal Governments to make the move."
Mr Langoulant said the Board, together with Institute Director Professor Fiona Stanley, will be working on a comprehensive fundraising strategy.
"Our priority is to ensure that our internationally recognised research programs are appropriately funded and we will not allow this building challenge to divert funds from our core business to improve child health and wellbeing.
"Prior to the weekend announcement, the State Government had committed $30 million to a new building and we had secured $33 million from the Federal Government. However this is far short of our estimates that an appropriate facility will cost in the order of $150 million.
"We will be asking the State and Federal Governments for urgent meetings to discuss our funding needs so that we can progress as soon as possible with our building plans.
"We are confident that the move to the QEII site presents an exciting opportunity to be part of a world-class hub of medical and research excellence where the State's teaching hospitals and research institutes can work in close collaboration."