• Construction of Charles Sturt’s near $66m ‘Stage 2 Development’ reaches midway point, with Stage 2A nearing completion and Stage 2B scheduled for completion in December
• To celebrate the milestone, Charles Sturt will host a series of ‘hard hat tours’ of the development for special guests and media to get first glimpse of the progress
• Stage 2 Development is being built over 6,300 square metres and will double the capacity of the Charles Sturt’s Port Macquarie campus

Charles Sturt University is pleased to announce the construction of its almost $66 million ‘Stage 2 Development’ to expand the facilities at its Port Macquarie campus has reached the midway point.

To celebrate the milestone, the University is hosting the first ‘hard hat tour’ of the development today for special guests and the media to get a firsthand preview of the progress that has been made on the campus’s new state-of-the-art facilities.

The Stage Two development, which is funded by the NSW Government and Charles Sturt, will raise the number of students the Port Macquarie campus can admit from 1,000 to 2,800, creating the largest international campus outside of metropolitan cities in NSW.

Director of External Engagement for Port Macquarie Ms Kate Wood-Foye said the University is thrilled with the progress of the development and is excited to unveil a number of the campus’s new facilities for the first time.

“Reaching the mid-way point of the Stage 2 Development is a celebratory milestone for Charles Sturt University, and we are looking forward to giving a number of special guests who have shown their support of this development a first look at its progress,” Ms Wood-Foye said.

“This year has brought a lot of uncertainty for everyone, particularly because of COVID-19, but we are very pleased that this development is still on schedule and we are excited about the possibilities it will provide.

“It will boost our regional economy, help to highlight our region on the international stage as a centre for education, and encourage more students to choose to study on the Mid North Coast.”

Member for Port Macquarie the Hon. Leslie Williams said she has been closely watching the construction works at the University and is pleased to see the development advance.

“Charles Sturt University has very quickly gained an outstanding reputation in Port Macquarie for delivering the highest quality learning facilities in regional NSW and the expansion will provide even more opportunities for students to continue their education locally as well as cater for students from abroad,” Mrs Williams said.

The entire Stage Two Development will be built over 6,300 square metres and double the capacity of the University’s Port Macquarie campus.

Stage 2A of the Development is on track for use in mid-August and includes learning and  teaching spaces, tiered lecture theatres, an event space, technology studio, engineering and science labs, a student gym and staff offices.

The Stage 2B development was awarded NSW Government funding of $15.08 million as part of the Regional Growth Fund’s Growing Local Economies program, which was established under the Restart NSW Fund.

It is due to be completed by December 2020 and includes the construction of the Port Macquarie International Education Centre, in addition to the following facilities:

• A NSW Emergency Services training room that will support existing Criminal Justice, Public Safety and Security and Paramedicine courses offered at the campus as well as made available to NSW Police, SES, Ambulance and other regional emergency service providers for professional development, collaboration and exercises.
• An Innovation Hub and co working space, connecting the University’s teaching, learning and research capabilities and capacities with local businesses to boost the Mid North Coast’s international-competitiveness and support the creation and development of new start-up businesses, including technology firms in Port Macquarie.
• Student support and amenity services and staff facilities and offices for new employees.

The entire Stage Two Development complex reaffirms and strengthens Charles Sturt’s commitment to its Clean Energy Strategy and sustainability practices, with all of the development’s roofs featuring extensive solar arrays and integration into the natural landscape.

Discussions are continuing with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to further develop walking and cycling paths through the bushland around the Stage Two development to support the community’s connection with the emerging Health and Education precinct.

Charles Sturt will provide an additional 96 residential beds for use in 2021, adding to its 250 existing beds to cater for the rise in student numbers the Stage Two Development will provide.

The ‘hard hat tour’ on Tuesday 14 July will align with the COVIDSafe regulations, as stipulated by federal and state governments. Attendance will be tracked, social distancing requirements will be in place, sanitiser will be available, and hard harts will be cleaned. The tour can be attended by invitation only.