NT Hands University CBD Site for Student Digs

A 350-bed student accommodation development is planned for a Darwin CBD site after the Territory government handed the land to Charles Darwin University.

The site at 56 Woods Street is across the road from the university’s city campus, also known as the Education and Community Precinct Danala.

The university’s new student accommodation building is expected to be home to 350 students on the site that neighbours the Old Darwin Primary School Building, which will not be affected by the development.

The development of the Education and Community Precinct Danala is part of the Darwin City Deal, a masterplan to develop the CBD. 

The precinct is expected to cost $250 million with $97.3 million from the Federal Government and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility providing $151.5 million as a loan.

The campus is expected to open in the third semester of this year.

The new accommodation aimed to support students in their transition and ensure they had the adequate housing necessary for success during their university studies, university vice-chancellor Scott Bowman said.

“The Northern Territory benefits greatly from international students and the skilled migration they bring,” Bowman said. 

“For CDU to meet the needs of the NT and remain a comprehensive university, it is crucial to maintain a significant number of international students.”

▲ A render of Charles Darwin University’s Education and Community Precinct Danala in the Darwin CBD.

NT international education minister Joel Bowden said there were more than 5600 international students in the Territory contributing about $169 million a year to the economy.

“We are aiming to grow that to 10,000 international students by 2030,” Bowden said.