UNSW Canberra City campus
UNSW Canberra is establishing a world-class research, education and innovation campus on the east side of Canberra’s city centre.
The UNSW campus will establish education and research facilities, collaborative industry activities, and facilities to support the campus population, such as parking, student accommodation, student services, and retail.
The campus will facilitate innovation and growth in the defence and security industries, building on Canberra’s strength and providing greater opportunities to collaborate. The new campus will also be part of the reimagining of the city centre’s eastern corner, capitalising on the area’s capacity to collocate education, recreation and tourism uses. With one of the premier addresses in the national capital the new campus will be a key driver for city centre success.
The ACT Government commissioned independent economic analysis which found a UNSW campus would bring significant economic benefits to Canberra. The analysis found the campus is expected to generate 2,000 jobs and for every $1 of investment generated, there would be $3 in economic benefits to the ACT.
The ACT Government’s investment in the UNSW Canberra City campus includes:
- approximately eight hectares of land in the city’s south-east;
- the cost to remediate any contamination on the site; and
- a $25 million cash contribution to be paid by instalments as key milestones are delivered.
UNSW Canberra will consult with the community and stakeholders to help inform the master plan development for the new campus.
The master plan will be submitted for endorsement by the ACT Government and approval by the National Capital Authority. Construction will not start until after the master plan has been approved.
The details of the agreement between the ACT Government and UNSW are captured in a Precinct Deed signed between the two parties. View the Precinct Deed here. The ACT Government will maintain oversight of the planning and delivery of the new campus under the precinct deed. This will ensure the benefits for the Canberra community are realised.
The City Renewal Authority will retain two hectares within the precinct for future uses.
To find out more and to be involved in developing the master plan for the UNSW Canberra City campus visit: canberra.unsw.edu.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
The new UNSW campus provides good proximity to the City Centre and UNSW’s existing site at ADFA and will renew and enliven the city’s eastern fringe delivering key outcomes for the government’s city renewal agenda.
The use of this site as an expanded education precinct fits well with the ACT Government’s strategy to revitalise Constitution Avenue and better connect the city to the lake.
The site is a key site within the ACT Government’s city renewal precinct and its development will support key objectives that include creating a vibrant city heart through the delivery of design-led urban renewal with a focus on social and environmental sustainability.
The ACT Government will retain two hectares of land at the east end of the site for future development. The Government will work with UNSW to develop an integrated plan for the site’s future, which complements the UNSW Canberra City campus.
The ACT Government is building a new, state of the art CIT in the Woden Town Centre. This facility will be fit-for-purpose and designed to accommodate changing needs of vocational education and training. As part of this work, CIT is currently analysing its course profile across all its campuses. A final decision about CIT’s presence in the City will be informed by this work.
CIT has been reviewing its campuses and offerings as part of its modernisation strategy to ensure they are specialised and appropriate to deliver the skills for a modern workforce.
CIT will continue to operate in place in Reid until a new campus is available. CIT will retain a continued presence in the City as well as its existing campuses in Bruce, Fyshwick, Gungahlin and Tuggeranong.
The car parks on Constitution Avenue, across the road from CIT Reid will close when construction on the UNSW campus begins.
The ACT Government will provide advance notice and alternative parking options for those using the car parks when they are due to close.
Public car spaces are currently available on Constitution Ave and Allara St in the car park near Civic Pool and the car park on the corner of Constitution Avenue and London Cct.
Public car spaces will be available at Constitution Place when the building is complete in 2021.
The UNSW Canberra City campus will work closely with government to ensure there is appropriate parking along with active travel improvements on-site and integration with public transport options.
The Railway Remnants land is on the ACT Heritage Register and UNSW will maintain the site, and work to integrate this important open space into their development.
Through the master plan process the community will be able to consider and provide feedback on how UNSW propose to treat open green space within the precinct, including the Heritage-listed Railway Remnants. UNSW’s master plan must be approved by the ACT Government for the project to proceed.
The Railway Remnants land will remain open and accessible to the ACT community.
The community is invited to provide feedback on the UNSW Canberra City Draft Master Plan. Visit the UNSW Canberra website for more details.