CDU student accommodation: NTG makes preparations to hand over CBD land
Four months after revealing it would grant a Darwin CBD block of land for a new student accommodation tower to service CDU’s Danala campus, the government has taken an important step towards effecting the transfer.
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The Northern Territory Government is preparing to hand over a Darwin City block of land to a developer which plans to erect a student accommodation village on behalf of Charles Darwin University to house up to 350 students.
Last month, it was revealed CDU had partnered with global provider Campus Living Villages, which develops, operates and manages campuses across the world, to establish an accommodation tower at 56 Woods St, Darwin City, land which is also bounded by McMinn St and Garramilla Blvd.
Recently, the government lodged an application with the Development Consent Authority to split off a 1510 sqm from the site in order to provide the land.
“In order to facilitate the development of the new accommodation, it is proposed to create a new parcel, that can then be made available to the party that will be developing the accommodation,” Earl James & Associations said in a report lodged in support of the DA.
Such a move would allow for the retention of the existing buildings that once comprised Darwin Primary School, which closed in the 1980s.
The buildings have latterly been used as an art gallery, art centre and dance studio, among other community uses.
When announcing the land transfer last month, CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the new student accommodation village would support the uni’s goal of attracting 6000 international students by 2027 (it currently has about 3500, with 2100 commencements in 2023).
Hosting international students would have a plethora of flow-on benefits for the ailing NT economy, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro previously stated.
“CDU’s city campus is aimed at helping make the Darwin CBD more vibrant and having student accommodation nearby makes it easier for students to get the training and skills they need to get highly skilled jobs in the Territory,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“International students contribute $169m to our economy and while studying, students play a big role in the workforce to the Territory.
“Having them live, work and study in the CBD is a big boost.”
According to the commonwealth agency Jobs and Skills Australia, the NT’s workforce is one of the most depleted in Australia.
For instance, we are the only jurisdiction where there are shortages of accounts clerks, autoglaziers, beef cattle farmers, corporate general managers, conference and event organisers, fishing guides, pest control technicians, printing machinists, property managers, and public relations professionals, inter alia.
Darwin City ‘student village’ plans revealed amid new deal
September 3, 2024: Charles Darwin University has brought on a new partner for its city-based student accommodation as the new build gets one step closer to reality.
Campus Living Villages will manage the living requirements of about 350 students housed in a new Woods Street accommodation hub.
CDU Vice-Chancellor and president Scott Bowman said the partnership meant the university could pool resources and address the growing demand for student accommodation in the Northern Territory.
It comes after the NT Government last month signed off on transferring crown land at 56 Woods St to the university for the project, across the road from the CDU city campus and on the site of the old Darwin Primary School.
Mr Bowman said the accommodation would be “designed and purpose-built” for Darwin’s unique environment.
“CDU has a goal of having 6000 international students by 2027, and this new accommodation will help support this goal and future goals as well as provide a safe space that supports our diverse student community,” he said.
“This partnership with CLV aligns well with our desire to enhance the student experience within a supportive learning environment.”
Mr Bowman said the building plans would not be impacting the old structures and trees on the block.
But he said the singular tower would not be enough to relieve students’ living pressures.
“I am expecting that we will need more going into the future,” he said.
“This is the first tower, but I think there could be more towers going up.
“I think there could be commercial (buildings) repurposed and there could be – for some students who would rather be with a family – some homestay opportunities.”
It is expected the accommodation block will be complete in about two years.
CLV currently manages more than 24,000 beds across 46 villages in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
CLV Group managing director and CEO John Schroder said the organisation was “passionate” about helping the university build an enriching environment for students.
Mr Schroder said the organisation would help CDU build a community that “embraces and promotes student care and safety, diversity, and inclusion”.
He said the village’s contemporary design would be “very digitally activated in a range of room types”.
Mr Schroder said he expected to make the accommodation offerings affordable for students, and estimated the rooms would be about 25 per cent cheaper than nearby apartment blocks.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the accommodation would play a key role in the NT economy’s future.
“CDU’s city campus is aimed at helping make the Darwin CBD more vibrant and having student accommodation nearby makes it easier for students to get the training and skills they need to get highly skilled jobs in the Territory,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“International students contribute $169 million to our economy and while studying, students play a big role in the workforce to the Territory.
“Having them live, work and study in the CBD is a big boost.”
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Originally published as CDU student accommodation: NTG makes preparations to hand over CBD land
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