Charles Sturt University's (CSU) new Port Macquarie campus is another step closer with the appointment of APP Corporation (APP) as the project director.

 

Executive Director of the University’s Division of Facilities Management Mr Stephen Butt said construction on the $40 million project was due to begin in 2014, with the first buildings to be available to students from 2015.

 

“Construction will continue through 2015 and will include the new Food Soil and Water Research Centre,” he said.

 

The $8 million research centre will form part of the new campus on Major Innes Road, and will be built by CSU in partnership with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

 

It will contribute research into soil and water management and sustainable development on the NSW Mid-North Coast and across Australia, relacing and expanding an existing laboratory run by the Council.

 

CSU received $13 million in federal government support under the Structural Adjustment Fund to assist in the establishment of a permanent campus at Port Macquarie, and a further $5.9 million was allocated in the recent federal budget toward the construction of the research centre.

 

The campus green field site is situated on Major Innes Drive and offers easy access and capacity for CSU to grow to meet the needs of the NSW Mid-North Coast.

 

APP will begin the master planning process in July with the appointment of the Design Consultants.

 

Mr Butt said the company had a long track record in the delivery of tertiary education facilities for some of Australia’s major universities.

 

APP Project Director Mr Greg Carmichael said the company worked in a diverse range of sectors in the property and infrastructure industry.

 

“The Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie project is one of the most exciting university projects in the making and we look forward to realising CSU's vision for the project and for the people of Port Macquarie,” he said.

 

APP is wholly-owned by Transfield Services Limited.

 

CSU officially commenced operations in Port Macquarie earlier this year and is currently located in leased facilities in Grant Street in Port Macquarie’s central business district.

 

Read more about the opportunities for study at CSU in Port Macquarie here.