Funding from the Victorian and Federal Governments will contribute to a new state-of-the-art, high tech Coronial Services Centre at Southbank.

With the latest in 21^st century technology and forensic expertise the redevelopment will include the following:

• new and improved areas for families at all stages of the coronial process;
• increased space for Victorian Coroners with a two-storey addition providing a coroners precinct and increased hearing space;
• an updated and larger mortuary;
• improved laboratory facilities;
• increased office space for Institute and coronial staff; and
• a modern facility for tissue banking.

Significant soil contamination caused a halt early on in proceedings while intensive tests were completed and additional funding was sought from the State Government to allow soil remediation measures to be implemented prior to the main building project.

The project is now ready to recommence with soil works and early enabling works due to start early in 2010/11 and the main building works commencing in November 2010. The completion date is now mid 2014.

The Institute will remain on site during the whole redevelopment period giving it an enormous challenge to maintain full forensic pathology, clinical forensic medicine, scientific and tissue banking services while sharing the site with the builder contractors.