One
of Australia’s most
experienced and respected Chief Executive has been appointed to one of Australia’s
fastest growing master planned cities.
Mr
Jim Varghese has taken on the new role of Executive Director of Health City
and Education City at Greater Springfield.
Mr
Varghese has over 30 years experience in the public sector, having worked in
leading government agencies covering transport, education, employment and
training and primary industries. His most recent government position was as
Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries with the Queensland
Government. He has recently been
selected to join Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 2020 Summit to discuss issues relating to health
and education.
His
role will be to continue the growth of Education City and oversee the
commencement of work on the unique world-class Health City, which will be home
to an integrated health services and education hub for south east Queensland's
rapidly growing western corridor.
Greater
Springfield Health City
will occupy approximately 50 hectares within the Greater Springfield's
CBD. Greater Springfield is planned to grow from 16,000
residents in 2008 to more than 100,000 by 2026.
The Health City masterplan was being created
through collaboration with the world-famous Harvard Medical International. Construction work on Health City
is expected to commence later this year.
Stage
One of Education City, Australia’s largest master-planned learning community,
was opened in 2006 with more than 550 students.
There
are currently 2,400 students studying at the Education City
campus with more than 8,500 expected upon completion. Education
City incorporates the University of Southern Queensland, along with Bremer
TAFE and seven other education providers.
Mr
Varghese has an outstanding track record as Chief Executive running
multi-faceted government businesses. He has successfully driven and implemented
the Queensland Government’s Smart
State initiative in Main
Roads, Education, Training, Employment and Primary Industries. He has also headed government departments in
Victoria.
He
has held numerous significant board and committee positions, including most
recently as President of the Institute of Public Administration of Australia.
Mr Varghese said the opportunity to work with
such an exciting and innovative private sector project like Greater Springfield
was a wonderful career opportunity.
"I have been captivated for some time by the
extraordinary vision its founder Maha Sinnathamby
has for the Greater Springfield area, especially the unique concepts and
world-class qualities that Education City and Health
City embrace,” Mr
Varghese said.
"I have quickly gained an appreciation of
how the work and the vision at Springfield
can uplift this entire region through the commitment to innovation and
excellence in everything they create.
“There are many synergies between Education City
and Health City,
and both can enrich lives for everyone who is part of Springfield and I will be exploring how the
two models can interact.”
Springfield
Land Corporation Chairman, Maha Sinnathamby,
said he was pleased to have someone of Mr Varghese’s skill and experience join
the growing Springfield
team.
“Dr
Varghese is someone who is highly respected and admired in both the public and
private sector and he will be an integral part of Springfield
realising its vision to create a world-class Health
City to add to the established
world-class Education
City,” Mr Sinnathamby said.
“We
have entered the most exciting phase of development in the 16 year history of
Greater Springfield with more than $10million being spent every week on
development.”
-end-
About
Springfield Land Corporation
Springfield Land Corporation is the master-planner
of the $15 billion plus 2860 hectare Greater Springfield project. Acquired in
1992, Greater Springfield encompasses four suburbs and a CBD area. With $600+ million being spent annually on
the Greater Springfield project, and three families moving to Greater
Springfield every day, it is no wonder it is one of the fastest growing regions
in Australia. Additional information about Springfield Land
Corporation and its Greater Springfield project is available at www.greaterspringfield.com.au <http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/>
