Council takes next steps to establish new university at Warnervale


Council will initiate a “Gateway” approval process for a new 7,000 student tertiary education facility, student accommodation for 1,500 and a business park on a greenfield site near Warnervale.

Councillors made the decision tonight after viewing a new Concept Masterplan for the Education Precinct including an economic viability assessment and preliminary layout plan.

Mayor Doug Eaton said the concept was truly exciting for the Central Coast community.

“This report confirms there is high demand with a shortfall of 7,600 university places in the greater Central Coast and Hunter Valley region,” Cr Eaton said. 

“Economically, it showed the project would contribute $650m when fully developed and over 5,000 jobs during construction, with ongoing economic benefit of over $9m per annum and more than 1,300 full time jobs,” he said.

Plans include broadening the range of education on offer at the site and co-locating technical, trade and high school education options alongside the university courses.

“Council will now prepare a Planning Proposal for submission to the NSW Government’s ‘Gateway’ approval process and will seek Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential partners for the project,” Cr Eaton said.

“We will seek partners including a University as the anchor tenant and a range of other education and training providers including technical, trade and possibly secondary school components.”

“We’ve already had fruitful discussions with the Federal Education Department and we will continue to partner with both the State and Federal governments on this project.”

Federal Member for Dobell Karen McNamara said she is determined to see greater access to higher education on the Central Coast.

“We committed to working with Wyong Shire Council in our ‘Growth Plan for the Central Coast’ prior to the election and I am pleased to see the ongoing development of this project,” Mrs McNamara said.

“I will assist by continuing to facilitate meetings between Wyong Shire Council, Education Minister the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP and the Education Department to ensure this proposal meets Federal requirements.

“Reforms being introduced to the Parliament will encourage the development of new higher education facilities, providing greater choice and opportunity for students.”

The Concept Masterplan for the project outlines an overall vision for an integrated and interactive tertiary education, business and Technology Park, community and recreational space and a SMARTS Hub.

The four main areas proposed for the site include a university with integrated student accommodation for 1,500 units; a sports and recreational precinct with sports fields and pool/gym complex; a central core including a SMARTS Hub with the library, administration functions and a hotel for short term accommodation; and a Business Park to integrate academia, research and commerce.

The whole site would be cleverly linked by pedestrian and cycle pathways, attractive landscaping and plenty of open green space.

Mayor Eaton said the Concept Plan confirms the site has the potential to be developed into a university precinct.

“The site has a footprint with the right gradients and is strategically located close to rail and road transport,” Cr Eaton said.

“Development would be limited to 14% of the entire site to reduce walking distances on campus and preserve large tracts of bushland. It will be an excellent use for this site.”

The Planning Proposal will ask for minor changes to the Wyong LEP 2013 to allow additional land uses, increased building heights and changed density controls.  The land is currently under the zones of SP2-Educational Establishment, B7-Business Park and E2-Environmental Conservation.

Once a ‘Gateway' approval is granted, the Concept Masterplan for the Wyong Education and Business Precinct will be exhibited for publicly feedback for 28 days.

 

For more information visit Wyong Shire Council