CDU city campus construction won’t be delayed by coronavirus, say project partners

THE threat of coronavirus won’t hold up construction of the controversial Charles Darwin University city campus development, which project partners are continuing to work on during the pandemic.

The concept design for Charles Darwin University’s planned city campus.

THE threat of coronavirus won’t hold up construction of the controversial Charles Darwin University city campus development, which project partners are continuing to work on during the pandemic.

The $430 million campus, which could increase the university’s international cohort by 5000 students, is expected to be completed by 2024 with the growing coronavirus pandemic said to have no impact on the project’s timeline.

“At this stage there aren’t any constraints on the project as a result of COVID-19, so the partners are continuing to work together to develop what is a large and complex project,” a CDU spokeswoman said.

“Of course none of us can see into the future with regard to how the coronavirus might impact us further in the Territory, but at this stage it isn’t impacting the Education and Civic Precinct project.”

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Despite the uncertainty of how long the pandemic will last, the university maintains it expects its student numbers to increase over the coming years, upon completion of the building.

“The university has always been clear about the importance of the project to growing its student numbers,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Education and Civic Precinct is part of the university’s broader strategy to foster knowledge exchange for innovation and improved career pathways for Territorians.”

The project, which has received a $150 million conditional loan from the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility board, would see construction of the new campus as well as a library and a new civic centre on the Cavenagh St carpark as part of the new Education and Civic Precinct.

The project would also see an increase in the city’s population, however residences, some of which would be included on campus, would be released in different stages.

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While Darwin council chose to leave comments to CDU as project managers, Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis has on multiple occasions spoken of the importance of maintaining large projects during the pandemic to stimulate the local economy.

Mr Vatskalis said the social distancing regulations could even benefit large projects, allowing them to go forward with as little disturbance as possible.