Report shows proposal to either demolish or consolidate facilities at Casuarina campus

CHARLES Darwin University is proposing to either demolish facilities or consolidate facilities, in an attempt to reduce its footprint and save money

A report shows CDU proposes to either demolish or consolidate facilities to reduce footprint and save money. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

CHARLES Darwin University is proposing to either demolish 27,500sq m of facilities at its Casuarina campus or consolidate facilities, in an attempt to reduce its footprint and save money.

In the university’s draft restructure proposal, it was recommended by an Ernst & Young report that the university reduce its campus footprint in Darwin and in regional areas to help achieve financial sustainability.

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The university responded by saying $25 million from the Darwin City Deal has been allocated to the Casuarina campus for the demolition of old buildings to reduce running and maintenance costs, and for the revitalisation of the campus.

According to the Ernst & Young report — the CDU VET Services – Road map to financial sustainability — CDU has a proposed 10-year master plan to remove 27,5000 sqm of facilities at the Casuarina campus.

Staff and current students would be relocated to spaces within the Casuarina, Waterfront, Palmerston and CBD campuses, and into a new building at Casuarina.

The report says the initiative would cost $94 million, with $13 million into the demolition of existing buildings, $55 million into building a new facility at the Casuarina campus, and $25 million into relocating and ensuring the facilities are suitable. As an alternative to demolition, it was suggested 9600 sqm of space at the Casuarina campus could be consolidated into existing facilities.

The report says by reducing general maintenance expenditure, it could create annual savings of $443,000.

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The report highlights CDU could make significant savings at its Katherine campus. The campus operates a cattle farm as a business, and it is recommended CDU consider closing the farm as “it does not form part of the core purpose of VET services”. It also suggests CDU charge staff for accommodation at the Katherine campus.

CDU currently pays all expenses, and if it were to charge staff the report says “reclaiming the funds could amount to $378,000”.

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