FAQs

About the Field Station

  • The Field Station is an interdisciplinary research and education facility focused on coastal environments, climate change, history and culture, and community engagement.

    The project includes the adaptive re-use of Badcoe Hall, a new short-stay university accommodation building for users of the field station such as visiting researchers and student field trips, and landscaping and access improvements around the site.

  • The Point Nepean Research and Education Field Station will become an important research and meeting place for local and global communities, where researchers, Indigenous peoples, and the broader community will uphold Indigenous knowledge and environmental sciences by collaborating, educating, researching, protecting and experiencing the natural and cultural qualities of this unique intersection of land and ocean. 

  • The Field Station site is located in the Point Nepean National Park, at the eastern edge of the Quarantine Station Precinct.

    The Field Stations site includes Badcoe Hall, an existing building of heritage significant within the Quarantine Station precinct. The building is being adapted for use as part of the Field Station.

  • The project is being delivered by the University of Melbourne and Monash University, with Kane Constructions appointed as the building contractor. The Field Station will be jointly operated by the two universities once complete.

  • The Field Station will be operational in 2028. More information on opening will be available closer to the time.

  • Questions, feedback or concerns can be sent to the project team at info@pointnepeanfieldstation.org.au.

    Enquiries will be reviewed and directed to the appropriate project team member for response. Community members can also sign up to the project mailing list to receive updates.

Construction and works

  • Badcoe Hall will be retained and adaptively re-used as part of the Field Station. Its overall structure and brick and stone-clad concrete façade will be preserved and reinforced, while internal spaces will be upgraded to support research, teaching, events and shared amenities.

    The refurbishment will include laboratories, collaborative spaces, meeting and breakout areas, and improved accessibility, including a lift.

  • A new two-storey, short-stay accommodation building will be built between Badcoe Hall and Jackson Road. It will provide accommodation for up to 50 visiting researchers, students and Field Station users associated with teaching and research activities.

  • A new build (rather than refurbishing an existing building) provides the best outcome given the availability, heritage constraints and accessibility requirements of other buildings at the Quarantine Station and has been carefully designed to have minimal visual impact on the surrounding site.

  • Construction is underway and will continue through 2026 and 2027, with the Field Station expected to become operational in 2028.

    Construction commenced in May 2026, following completion of project approvals including:

    • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act consent

    • Marine and Coastal Act consent

    • Cultural Heritage Management Plan approval

    • Planning approval

    • Heritage permit.

  • Yes. Construction vehicles will need to access the site for deliveries, materials, equipment and workforce movements. Vehicle movements will be managed through approved construction and traffic management arrangements, with the aim of minimising disruption to park users and nearby stakeholders.

  • Yes. Some demolition and bulk excavation are included in the approved project works. Badcoe Hall itself will be retained and adaptively re-used, rather than demolished.

  • Some construction activities will generate noise, as expected on a building site. This may include demolition, excavation, deliveries, machinery use and structural works.

    The project team will work to manage construction impacts and provide advance notice of activities that may be more noticeable to nearby visitors or stakeholders.

  • As with many existing buildings of this age, any hazardous materials identified during refurbishment will be managed and removed safely in accordance with relevant regulations and approved construction procedures.

    Where this work is required, it will be undertaken by appropriately qualified contractors with the necessary controls in place.

  • The project has been designed to minimise impacts on the surrounding landscape and retain existing trees where possible. Some vegetation management will be required within the approved works area to support construction, access, landscaping and bushfire requirements.

    Vegetation protection and landscape measures will be managed through the project’s approved plans and environmental requirements.

  • The project has undergone environmental, planning, heritage and cultural heritage assessment processes. Environmental considerations have informed the design and will continue to guide construction, including management of terrestrial and marine environments, vegetation, water-sensitive design and monitoring requirements.

    The Field Station’s design also includes sustainability measures such as passive design, all-electric systems, renewable-ready energy sources and rainwater reuse.

  • Point Nepean National Park will remain open during construction. However, there may be temporary, localised changes to pedestrian or visitor movement near the construction area to safely separate the public from works.

    Any changes that affect visitors will be communicated through project updates, signage and relevant Parks Victoria channels where required.

  • Construction updates will be shared through the project website and mailing list. Targeted notifications will also be used where particular works may affect visitors, stakeholders or nearby communities.

Badcoe Hall (before construction)

Architectural visualisation: Choi Render​

Point Nepean National Park and cultural significance

  • Point Nepean offers a unique combination of coastal, marine, environmental, cultural and historical significance, making it an ideal location for field-based research, education and community engagement.

    The project also aligns with the Point Nepean National Park Master Plan, which identified research and education as an important future use within the precinct.

  • The Field Station will align with the Point Nepean National Park Master Plan, released by Parks Victoria in 2017.      

    The Master Plan highlighted the importance of the site for research and education and the Field Station is just one aspect of the activity proposed within the park.      

    To find out more, visit the Parks Victoria website to access the Master Plan. 

  • The project has been developed in consultation with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation as the Registered Aboriginal Party. A Cultural Heritage Management Plan has been approved, and a Cultural Values Assessment has informed the design and landscape approach.

    Early site preparation also included cultural heritage salvage excavation works undertaken in coordination with Bunurong Land Council.

  • The universities are committed to highlighting the importance of the site’s First Nation’s heritage, values, and culture; and respecting and celebrating Traditional Owners’ knowledge of Country and environmental and cultural heritage.     

    The importance of the site for research, education, engagement and cultural uses, as well as for activities drawing connections to the site's colonial and settler history are core to the project planning and vision.  

    A cultural values assessment and heritage management plan have been undertaken, including arborist consultation and geotechnical investigation. The project team will continue to engage with the cultural and historical significance of the site with care and respect, consulting the relevant groups and authorities when required, including as part of the construction process.

Research

  • The Field Station provides a platform for a flexible and varied range of research areas, which may include:    

    • dune management

    • coastal erosion and inundation

    • marine ecosystem preservation

    • pollution control

    • biodiversity

    • habitat restoration, and

    • management of Indigenous and settler heritage sites at risk of sea-level rise.

  • A core pillar of the Field Station vision is to strengthen Australia's position as a global research leader in coastal and climate research. The facility’s design will allow it to host academic symposiums and conferences on climate research and coastal and marine environments, attracting experts in a variety of disciplines from around the world. This will not only benefit the universities, but the local community through activation of local businesses and services.

  • Please get in touch with our project team at info@pointnepeanfieldstation.org.au.

  • The refurbished Badcoe Hall will include spaces designed for teaching, learning and events for the universities, and facilitate teaching activities by the local community.

Community engagement

  • As a teaching, learning and research Field Station, studies to monitor the coast, climate and marine life in the area are core to the Field Station’s vision. Protecting the distinct and unique place that is the Mornington Peninsula is a driving motivation for the universities. 

    The universities have already worked on research projects in the surrounding area, including investigating the cause of the erosion in Port Phillip Bay and collaborating with the Deakin University Queenscliff Marine Science Centre on various projects. The intention is to do the same around the coastal regions of Point Nepean and surrounds.   

    Archaeological and cultural interaction is also a key component of the project’s vision, including uncovering and telling the stories of this significant site and history. Reconstructing past climate, coastal and land stories through research and collaboration with local communities is an exciting prospect for future Field Station research. 

  • Being located in the National Park, public access will not be limited around the site. General access to Badcoe Hall and the new accommodation building will be restricted to the universities. There will be opportunities for community engagement activities utilising the Field Station, the details of which will be finalised closer to completion.  

  • The best way for the community (including schools, community groups and visitors) to engage and connect with the Field Station is being considered as part of the future operational planning of the facility.  

  • Please get in touch with our project team at info@pointnepeanfieldstation.org.au and sign up to our mailing list for project updates.