Penrith. Medical research project

Nepean Hospital is searching for up to 5000 square metres of land on which to build a multimillion-dollar medical research institute to be on par with similar facilities at Westmead and Liverpool. The University of Sydney has vowed to help front the $3 million to $4 million it will cost for an appropriate-sized lot. Westpac is backing the project but the Penrith Business Alliance (PBA), which is leading the project, has yet to release any cost estimates for construction. PBA chairman, Paul Brennan, said the institute would be similar to the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, under construction at Liverpool Hospital.