Plan puts new CDU campus near CBD post office

PLANS have been revealed for a proposed Charles Darwin University campus in the Darwin CBD

Darwin's historic boab tree, near the centre of the city.

PLANS have been revealed for a proposed Charles Darwin University campus in the Darwin CBD.

Incorporating the historic boab tree, the plans show the new campus situated on the carpark next to the Post Office on Cavenagh St.

The proposed campus and this set of plans have not yet been approved, as the concept of creating a Darwin CBD campus has not yet been approved in the Smart Cities program.

The draft plans come as the push for the CBD campus gains momentum.

A Property Council of Australia report previously found that relocating students to the CBD would have a major impact.

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The move has been backed by CDU vice-chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks, who has been in continued discussions to grow the university’s presence in the Darwin CBD.

“The university, through its business school at the Darwin Waterfront, has already committed a significant student presence to the CBD and other opportunities, in keeping with our strategic plan, could well exist,” Prof Maddocks said previously.

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“The university is continuing to take part in discussions with both the Darwin City Council and the Northern Territory Government to explore further opportunities for CDU in the CBD.”

The federally funded City Deal could release many millions of dollars to boost Darwin’s vibrancy.

The Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, Paul Fletcher, has confirmed relocating parts of the CDU into the CBD is something that will be getting active consideration under the City Deal process,

Mr Fletcher, who has met with Chief Minister Michael Gunner, said ways of increasing the attractiveness of Darwin as a tourist destination were also very much in the frame

However he has given no hope that the Territory would receive any federal Cities Deal funding before the end of this year.

The plans are now available online as part of the new Revitalising Darwin CBD website. The website will include information on all the projects under way in the CBD and a story map that tours the project locations.

Other projects to be showcased on the site include the redesign of State Square, the new health house on Cavenagh St and Barneson Blvd.

Go to revitalisingdarwin .nt.gov.au to peruse the proposals.