A $2 million Federal government grant will fund the establishment of sporting and recreational facilities on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dubbo Campus.

CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, welcomed news of the grant announced today, Monday 15 October, by the Federal Education Minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP.

“This grant will assist CSU to grow as the University of inland Australia,” Professor Goulter said. 

“The Dubbo Campus is critical to the provision of higher education to communities across central and north western NSW, and is central to the University’s strategy to better serve Indigenous communities in the region.

“The campus has over 500 students, about ten per cent of whom are Indigenous Australians, with on-campus accommodation for 62 students. Currently, however, there are no sporting and recreational facilities which are considered a normal part of the student experience in any higher education setting.

“The provision of adequate sport and recreational facilities on-campus is not only an expectation for our students but a fundamental requirement to increase Indigenous access, participation and success in high education.

“The new facilities will provide a balance across individual, small, and large group activities, catering equally to both sexes, and provide for sports that are popular in regional and remote communities,” he said.

Professor Goulter also acknowledged and thanked the individuals and community organisations that supported CSU’s application to the Commonwealth for funding.

The facilities will be located between the student accommodation and the campus for the benefit of all students at various institutions within the educational precinct surrounding the CSU campus. It will include an all-weather, synthetic multi-purpose basketball/netball court under shade sails, a fenced tennis court, and multi-purpose activities room with gym equipment.

Funding for the CSU Dubbo Campus is made available under the Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) Transition Fund for Sporting and Recreation Facilities, which is facilitating a shift from reliance on compulsory student union fees in universities. The Federal Department of Education, Science and Training received 83 applications in the current funding round, with the Minister approving 25 projects worth $30 million.