• Stage 2a of the nearly $66 million Stage 2 Development of the campus in Port Macquarie is complete
• Dignitaries from Charles Sturt University, local government, and the building company will attend a ribbon-cutting on Thursday 8 October
• Stage 2b is due to be completed in December 2020

Completion of Stage 2a of the Charles Sturt University ‘Stage 2 Development’ at Port Macquarie was unveiled today during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Stage 2a of the nearly $66 million development is complete and sees the addition of learning and teaching spaces, tiered lecture theatres, an event space, technology studio, engineering and sciences labs, a student gym, and staff offices to the campus.

The ‘Stage 2 Development’ project will almost triple the Port Macquarie campus’s capacity from 1,000 to 2,800 students to create the largest international campus in NSW outside metropolitan cities.

Charles Sturt University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Engagement) Professor Heather Cavanagh was joined by Member for Port Macquarie the Hon. Leslie Williams during the official ceremony.

Professor Cavanagh said the Stage 2a unveiling marked a new era of growth for the University in Port Macquarie.

“There is great potential for growth at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie and the development of Stage 2 allows us to reach those milestones as a University,” she said.

“These facilities are state-of-the art, sustainably constructed and will allow us to better service the region and to attract more students to the beautiful Mid North Coast to further their education.

“The University is honoured to open this facility with the support of local government, the NSW government, the health district, and the Chamber of Commerce.”

Charles Sturt University Director of External Engagement in Port Macquarie Ms Kate Wood-Foye said unveiling Stage 2a on schedule was a proud accomplishment, especially during the COVID-19 restrictions and shut-downs.

Ms Wood-Foye said Stage 2 of the Port Macquarie campus will benefit not only students and staff, but will boost the economy and attract more people to the Mid North Coast.

“It has been an unprecedented year, but we are excited to have reached this milestone and delighted to be able to share it with our community,” she said.

“Stage 2a, accompanied by Stage 2b later this year, will strengthen the University in Port Macquarie to enable us to welcome more students on campus. Not only will this help to boost the economy but it will further put the campus on an international stage for quality education.

“Charles Sturt University is committed to creating a world worth living in, and these new facilities will ensure we are able to achieve that in Port Macquarie.”

Member for Port Macquarie the Hon. Leslie Williams said she was honoured to unveil the first stage and looked forward to seeing what opportunities the development brings to the region.

“Charles Sturt University has a reputation for high-quality education and facilities in Port Macquarie,” Mrs Williams said.

“Today’s ceremony marks the next phase of the University providing opportunities for students to continue their education locally, as well as attract students from overseas when they are permitted to study in Australia again.

“The continuation of this development will benefit the University and the wider Port Macquarie community for years to come.”

Lahey Constructions Project Manager Mr Bill Maley said his regional-based company ensured it hired local contractors to generate work in the region to complete Stage 2a.

“Lahey Constructions was excited to be the design and construction contractor for the Charles Sturt University Stage 2a project in Port Macquarie,” he said.

“We are a regional-based builder with a head office in the NSW Mid North Coast and we used local sub-contractors and suppliers to complete Stage 2a.”

The ‘Stage Two Development’ is funded by the NSW government and Charles Sturt University and, built over 6,300 square metres, reaffirms the University’s commitment to its Clean Energy Strategy and sustainability practices, with all roofs featuring solar arrays.

Discussions are in place with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to develop walking and cycling paths through bushland around Stage Two to support the community’s connection with the emerging health and education precinct.

Stage 2b, which includes the Port Macquarie International Education Centre, a NSW Emergency Services training room, an Innovation Hub, and student support and amenity services, is due to be completed in December 2020.