Work on the University of Newcastle’s new $63.8M Central Coast Campus in Gosford is set to begin following the launch of the project’s construction phase on Monday, December 4.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said the launch marked a major milestone for the project, which would provide improved access to tertiary education for people living on the Central Coast.
“Together with our funding partners, we had a vision almost five years ago to create a contemporary campus in the heart of Gosford,” he said.
“I’m pleased that we have taken the next step today to realise our vision and mark the start of construction of our new state-of-the-art campus.
“Our campus will provide a new place for people to study and build their skills, preparing work-ready graduates to help meet the changing needs of the Central Coast.
“It will also generate new jobs, help to bolster the region’s workforce and attract more significant investment back to the community.
“With a number of high schools located close by, and businesses at our doorstep, we hope that our new campus can inspire people to pursue their higher education studies and help pave the path to their dream careers.
“Over the next 18 months we look forward to working closely with our project team and local contractors to strengthen our commitment to the Central Coast community, before we officially open the campus doors to students in 2025.”
Programs offered at the new Central Coast campus are expected to include degrees in business with expanded majors, education, social work and pathway programs.
The initial construction activities that will be conducted before the end of this year will include site establishment, archaeological investigations, demolition and excavation.
Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said access to education was a great equaliser.
“This campus, located close to the Clinical School, the hospital, local businesses and TAFE, is bringing higher education into the heart of a revitalised Gosford town centre,” he said.
Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said the campus would be an exciting development in the heart of Gosford.
“The Central Coast campus will bring new education opportunities to the people of the Central Coast and help reinvigorate Gosford city,” he said.
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said as a University of Newcastle graduate, she had fought long and hard for the Gosford campus to become a reality.
“I have spoken to community members from across the Central Coast who are thrilled to have this world-class educational institution one step closer to teaching the next generation of our learners,” she said.
“The Mann St campus is a fabulous addition to the growing innovative hub that is Gosford, bringing state of the art educational opportunities, significantly expanding access to tertiary education across the Central Coast.
“Our community deserves the opportunity to get a world-class education right here on the Central Coast.
“The Australian and NSW Governments have shown our commitment to investing in the future of the Central Coast education landscape.
“The Mann St campus is set to play such an important role in the future of Gosford City and I look forward to seeing it open in 2025.”
The new campus is funded by the University of Newcastle ($27.8M), the Australian Government ($18M) and the NSW Government ($18M) using land in Mann St provided by the NSW Government’s Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation.
It is scheduled for completion by mid-2025 and expects to welcome up to 900 students.
The building will be three storeys high, with the university working closely with a First Nations Working Group on building and design features, as well as artwork and language opportunities that will feature in the building.