State-of-the-art rural health facilities and a library and information technology centre have been announced as part of a $20 million proposal to significantly expand Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Thurgoona Campus.

The University Council, CSU’s governing body, has endorsed the proposed developments on the Thurgoona site costing $17 million over the next four years.

These developments follow on from the University successfully winning funding from the Federal Government for the Thurgoona Campus for 2005.

“We recently submitted a proposal requesting a further $5.8 million from the Federal Government to assist the University with developments at the Thurgoona site,” said CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter.

“However, the University is providing significant funds from its own resources for the campus, further highlighting Charles Sturt University’s confidence in developing university education on the NSW-Victorian border,” he said.

“The proposed development will allow many CSU activities currently on Albury City Campus to transfer to the Thurgoona Campus and prepare for the gradual sale of most buildings currently housing the Albury City Campus.”

The University plans to hold discussions with key parties on the disposal of the Albury City site, which will release a significant area of land in central Albury bound by Olive, Wilson and David Streets.

“We will, however, continue to have a presence in central Albury by retaining buildings on the corner of Olive and Guinea Streets,” said the Head of Albury-Wodonga Campus, Professor David Battersby. 

Major changes are also planned for the University’s administration, with a $1 million refurbishment of the Peter Till building on the Thurgoona Campus to accommodate all administration on one site by early 2005.