CDU city-based accommodation two years away, but Joel Bowden denies planning oversight

CDU’s city campus is fast-approaching completion and nearby student accommodation could be another two years away, but one politician says the misalignment was not an oversight.

It could take another two years before student accommodation in the city is ready for Charles Darwin University students, but a politician believes Darwin CBD’s lack of student housing was not an oversight.

Skills, Training and International Education Minister Joel Bowden last week said he was “wrapped” to see CDU’s city campus almost complete.

But when asked if not including additional provisions for student accommodation was an oversight, Mr Bowden said “not at all”.

“It is going to be a masterpiece of planning in the city of Darwin to bring students, to bring activity, to change the way that the city operates having all the students in the city,” he said.

The new Charles Darwin University campus in Darwin City is almost complete. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

But the university only recently applied to lease 1654 square metres of land to build a new student accommodation facility.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the accommodation – to be built on 56 Woods St – would sit hand-in-hand with the new campus.

“The planned accommodation will provide a safe and supportive living environment for students, especially international students who may find the transition to Australia daunting,” Mr Bowman said.

“The accommodation’s location next to the campus will also be convenient and enhance the overall student experience.”

He said the university currently offered 740 student beds available between the Casuarina campus’ in-house accommodation and nearby UniLodge as well as the Katherine and Alice Springs campuses.

With the majority of available accommodation located near the Casuarina Campus, Mr Bowman said CDU also offered accommodation through the HomeStays and StudyStays programs.

“Additional student accommodation in Darwin’s CBD is likely to attract more international and domestic students to CDU by providing convenient, safe, and supportive housing options,” he said.

“This is expected to increase enrolment numbers as domestic students choose to stay in the NT and international students come for high-quality education at a brand new, modern campus.”

Infrastructure Minister Joel Bowden and Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It comes after the federal government proposed nationwide caps on universities’ international student numbers.

Mr Bowman has been advocating for the Territory’s “unique position” and reliance on international students.

He said international students bolstered the NT’s economy – both when they are studying and if they choose to stay and work in the Territory.

“We are currently undertaking modelling to understand any impacts a reduction in international students may have,” he said.

“We will post a deficit for 2023, but our forecasts had the University returning to surplus in 2024-2025.

“Any reduction in international student numbers would make delivering a surplus very difficult.”

Originally published as CDU city-based accommodation two years away, but Joel Bowden denies planning oversight