Cover Comes off $1bn Canberra Satellite Campus

The covers have come off latest designs of a NSW university’s new $1-billion Canberra City campus development first stage. 

The designs are now on public exhibition after a six-month development process following initial feedback for the University of NSW campus.

Stage 1 is to deliver two multi-use buildings at the corner of Constitution Avenue and Coranderrk Street in the suburb of Parkes, and will be home to teaching and research spaces, as well as retail offerings, and cultural and student-focused spaces. 

It is the first of four stages planned as part of the UNSW Canberra City Master Plan, which was approved in April, 2023.

The Canberra campus, which will support around 6000 students, is expected to be completed in 2026.

The consultation is on public exhibition until May 26.

Satellite campuses are a staple for many Australian universities, but with ongoing pressures in the sector this may be changing.

The Federal Government announced in the Budget this month it was putting the onus on universities to help deliver student accommodation, which received a guarded welcome from the industry.

“While we wait to see the proposed regulations, the industry is ready to work with the higher-education sector to deliver the student accommodation they need,” Property Council of Australia’s Student Accommodation Council executive director Torie Brown said. 

“This includes placing students into existing beds today and building new beds into the future.

“However, the government needs to be careful in how they implement these reforms.

“There is a lot of capital already invested and looking to invest in Australian PBSA—and we want universities to work with the existing private sector rather than being forced to compete.”

However, the government also announced that it would introduce new caps on the number of international student places at educational institutions in Australia, and tightened visa restrictions.