20 April 2016: A cutting-edge, sustainable residential development will rise at the University of Canberra campus over the next two decades thanks to a new agreement with one of Australia’s leading land developers to be signed TOMORROW.
The agreement between the University and CIC Australia, Peet Limited’s Canberra-based wholly owned subsidiary, will see a multi-stage development of up to 3,300 residences, a mix of units and townhouses, constructed over a 15 to 20-year period. The gross value of the project is currently modelled to be $1.7 billion but this will depend upon property values over time.
The University has agreed with the ACT Government that a maximum of 200 dwellings will be released per annum starting in 2017, contributing to growth and employment in the Territory.
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker said the agreement is a great step towards achieving the long-term vision of the institution’s campus development plan.
“It is great to see another stage of our ‘Educated Life’ vision coming to fruition. Our vision foresees that by 2030 our campus will be a leading example of how a modern world-class university transformed its physical surroundings to create an integrated learning community where scholars, students and the public intermingle,” Professor Parker said.
“This residential development, which is part of the University’s Campus Community precinct, will see a mix of students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the general public living in a modern, progressive, sustainable, edgy community.
“It will be a benchmark for contemporary living that demonstrates innovative planning and design in architecture, landscape and streetscape.”
The project will fund a new professor position in urban design and it will also be a reference site for research projects in housing design, urban design and public health.
“Students studying architecture, landscape architecture, building and construction management, urban planning and other relevant disciplines will be involved in project working, making this probably the largest work-integrated learning project in the history of Australian higher education.
“Over the next 10-15 years, staff and students will work with the developers, pursuant to a Collaboration Agreement, to generate an evidence-based new way of urban living,” Professor Parker said.
He said the development will greatly add to the campus community, to Belconnen and to Canberra itself, further cementing the University of Canberra as a vital component of the nation’s capital.