University of Sydney announces 25,000 student campus at Westmead
Half a billion dollars and the future of robotics are being planned for a new state-of-the-art university campus in western Sydney.
Parramatta
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A deal has been finalised for the University of Sydney to build in the North Parramatta Cumberland Hospital precinct.
The land was up for grabs since early June when a market sounding process was underway to pick the best applicants; between universities and private developers.
The Advertiser reported on the deal between the University and the State Government for an 18,000 person campus, that number has since risen to a 25,000 student campus, costing $500 million.
The east and west campuses at Cumberland Hospital and a few surrounding lands are available for development. And, now the University of Sydney has its way, it will be front and centre.
University of Sydney vice chancellor Michael Spence said the campus would focus on artificial intelligence and work along side the students currently studying within the Westmead Hospital precinct.
“I am delighted that, following a market sounding process, the NSW government has chosen to negotiate exclusively with the University of Sydney to bring a shared vision to life,” he said.
“Our proposal resents a once-in-a-century opportunity to create an economic, intellectual, social and cultural asset in the heart of greater Sydney.”
The University will be competing for enrolments in the west. University of NSW, Macquarie University and Western Sydney University already have a presence in western Sydney.
But, the University of Sydney has a monopoly on the market, with the third-highest number of student enrolments in Australia, behind Monash and RMIT, both Victorian universities.
The University’s medical facility in Westmead currently supports some 1600 students and 1200 researchers and, a second multidisciplinary campus would offer a full compliment of courses, specifically focusing on advanced manufacturing, data and artificial intelligence.
A key aspect of the campus will be a pre-K to 12 school, the area currently has the state’s largest primary school and has 1630 students after a surge of 120 from the end of last year.
The campus will make available around 5000 affordable housing for key workers and students, as part of the two year negotiations with universities and the government.
Parramatta Liberal MP Geoff Lee said the announcement was a culmination of years of work to bring tertiary education to the area.
“Universities help grow regions, this is not just a world-leading medical, innovation and education precinct, but it will create a wonderful, dynamic and vibrant place,” Mr Lee said.
Phase one will be completed by 2030, which will see 6100 students, 3100 jobs and more than 1000 affordable houses on the site.
Parramatta Labor nominee Liz Scully said the University has the risk of running into “overdevelopment” for the site.
“Sydney University’s announcement shows that Parramatta is a growing centre for education,” Mrs Scully said.
“However, our community needs to know more about what this news means for heritage buildings at North Parramatta.”