UNSW Canberra will build a research, education and innovation campus in the heart of Canberra city following approval from the ACT Government.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr made the announcement that the land on Constitution Avenue in the city’s east will be home to the new campus as well as a new Defence and Security Innovation Precinct.
UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs said the initiative will strengthen Canberra’s reputation as a knowledge and innovation hub, as well as boost the city’s economy and employment. The eight-hectare site is across the road from the Convention Centre and will replace the Reid CIT campus.
UNSW Canberra Rector Professor Michael Frater said the new Canberra City campus will provide the opportunity to expand on the courses currently offered at the Australian Defence Force Academy. The move was initially announced by Prof Frater at the 2018 Land Forces conference in Adelaide.
UNSW Canberra City will be built in stages to accommodate future growth and is located in the middle of Canberra’s research and innovation corridor, situated with other like-minded institutions such as the Defence and Intelligence Headquarters in Russell.
“The campus is an ideal location for universities, industry and government to collaborate, discover and drive global change,” Prof Frater said.
“UNSW Canberra City will also be home to a new Defence and Security Innovation Precinct. The dedicated innovation precinct will allow academics, companies, government bodies and community to come together to develop defence and security capability, talent and technology.”
Urban designers were already working on drawing up a campus that would fit within the tight regulations of the National Capital Authority, who have planning control over the site and strict rules about building heights.
UNSW intend construction to commence on the new campus in just 12 months, and envisage it eventually accommodating 6,000 students and 2,000 staff.
However, it is likely to be 15 years before the campus is complete, and the $25 million the ACT Government have promised will be paid to UNSW at major construction milestones.