Released 05/03/2020
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) will establish a world-class research, education and innovation campus that will boost our city’s education offerings, attract up to 6,000 local, national, international students to the heart of Canberra and create around 2,000 jobs.
Recognising the project’s educational, social and $3 billion economic potential, the ACT Government is investing $25 million with the university over the campus development timeframe. As part of the agreement, the ACT Government will also provide approximately eight hectares of land and meet the cost of remediation required to enable the new campus development.
We are committed to growing educational opportunity and creating jobs by investing in education infrastructure projects both big and small. This project will not only provide jobs during the construction phase, it will provide a long-term economic boost to Canberra.
The new campus, to be located on the east side of the city, along Constitution Avenue will strengthen the city’s reputation as the knowledge capital of Australia, and further reinforce the Territory’s status as a leader in the defence and security industries.
The new campus will play a major part in the renewal of the city centre, capitalising on this eastern precinct’s capacity to co-locate education, recreation and tourism uses.
UNSW Canberra will undertake consultation with key stakeholders and the community to help inform the master plan for the new campus.
Quotes attributable to Professor Ian Jacobs, UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor:
UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs said the initiative will strengthen Canberra’s reputation as a knowledge and innovation hub, as well as boost the city’s economy and employment.
“UNSW has a 50-year history of delivering outstanding education and research in Canberra. This new campus will enable us to take the scale and quality of our involvement in Canberra to a new level. It is an exciting time for UNSW and for the national capital, as its tertiary education credentials are further enhanced,” he said.
“I thank the Chief Minister and the ACT Government for allowing UNSW an even greater role in the future of the city.”
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases