Australian Catholic University, Blacktown Council seal deal on new campus

Plans for Blacktown’s first university campus are forging ahead with the Australian Catholic University and Blacktown Council signing off on the official campus blueprint. SEE WHAT THE CAMPUS WILL LOOK LIKE HERE.

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A university campus in the heart of Blacktown is a step closer to becoming a reality after the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Blacktown Council officially signed off on the plans today.

Both parties sealed the deal at a special event held at the Blacktown Civic Centre on October 17, as ACU prepares to open an interim building in Main St as early as June next year.

ACU vice-chancellor Professor Greg Craven and Mayor Tony Bleasdale ratified the partnership with the signing of a heads of agreement, endorsing the official blueprint to establish the new campus.

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale and ACU vice-chancellor Professor Greg Craven officially sign off on the blueprint for the new Blacktown campus. Picture: Supplied

In March, ACU was announced as the council’s tertiary partner to establish the long-awaited Blacktown CBD campus, with courses expected to begin in early 2021.

Mayor Tony Bleasdale said the milestone was a historic moment for Blacktown.

“Now the journey from preschool to a university degree can be made right here in Blacktown City,” Cr Bleasdale said.

“This a game changer for Blacktown City. This is a game changer in terms of the future and of course, this is a game changer for western Sydney itself.”

Chancellor John Fahey said the campus was expected to cater for the region’s booming population, with 18,000 university students currently living in Blacktown City.

Artist’s impression of ACU’s interim campus in Main St, Blacktown, expected to open as a student information centre in June 2020. Picture: Supplied

“We are of the firm belief that the establishment of a campus here is a great thing for Blacktown,” Mr Fahey said.

“It’s also a milestone for Catholic education in Australia.

“Currently we know some 350,000 residents live in this area and they speak 182 different languages.

“We will serve the diverse student population by providing innovative, world-class higher education courses as well as state-of-the-art learning facilities and spaces for recreation and reflection.”

Professor Greg Craven said the signing served to strengthen the ties between the university and the council.

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An artist's impression of the permanent Blacktown ACU campus in the new Warrick Lane precinct. Picture: Supplied

The new campus will be the first university established in Blacktown and the ninth ACU campus in Australia.

Degree courses and executive education programs are expected to be on offer from February 2021 at the Main St campus until the anticipated opening of the permanent Warrick Lane campus in 2024.

The campus will offer more than 30 courses and degrees across four faculties — education and arts, health sciences, law and business; and theology and philosophy.

What Blacktown’s new Warrick Lane precinct is expected to look like once complete. Picture: Supplied

TIMELINE

2020: Future students information centre opens at 22 Main St.

2021: Main St campus opens.

2021: ACU undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education programs begin.

2024: Warrick Lane campus anticipated opening.