Charles Sturt University (CSU) has taken the next step in the creation of its permanent campus in Port Macquarie by announcing national construction company, Watpac as head builder for the project.

Initial works to finalise design and site works on the multi-million dollar campus will begin in the coming days. Stage one site works at the Major Innes Road site are expected to start in late August and are due for completion in late September 2015.

Head of Campus at CSU in Port Macquarie Professor Ross Chambers said CSU has a long-term vision of providing and advancing higher education and research opportunities in the Mid North Coast region.

"Today's announcement is a big step towards reaching those goals," he said.

"To be able to watch Charles Sturt University's permanent campus take shape over the next year will be an exciting for both the University and the Port Macquarie community."

Watpac is a national construction company with established links in the Port Macquarie region, currently working on a major expansion project of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital, the federally funded joint health education facility adjacent to the hospital and the redevelopment of Kempsey Hospital.

CSU's Division of Facilities Management Executive Director Mr Stephen Butt said Watpac offered the right mix of expertise and connections to the region.

"We are pleased to be able to partner with this national company for the construction of our campus in Port Macquarie," he said.

CSU's permanent campus in Port Macquarie will be completed through a staged-building program carried out until 2030. The $42 million stage one design features teaching and research areas, including the Port Macquarie-Hasting Council's Food Soil Water Testing Centre. More information is available on the CSU Port Macquarie website.

This project has received funding assistance of more than $18 million through the Federal Government's Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and the Department's Education Investment Fund.