The Development Application (DA) for the University of New England (UNE) Tamworth campus has been given the green light by the independent Northern Region Planning Panel.
The approval enables UNE to proceed to the next stage of the development which is calling tenders for a main contractor to bring the campus designs to reality, once the site agreement with Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) has been finalised.
The DA is one of three required by the campus development. Only one DA remains outstanding, which is for the subdivision of the land, which has been formally lodged by TRC, and the associated public exhibition closed in October.
Award winning architectural firm Architectus was appointed in March 2023 to lead the design of the Tamworth Central Campus. The design concepts were first presented to the community in October 2023.
UNE Vice Chancellor and CEO Professor Chris Moran says the approval of the DA by the Northern Region Planning Panel is a critical milestone for the project.
“We are building a regionally significant building right here in the Tamworth CBD that the city can be proud of, and I am looking forward to seeing students finally being able to use this facility.” said Moran.
“I am grateful to the UNE project team and the planners at TRC who have worked tirelessly to get us a positive outcome from the Northern Region Planning Panel.”
Regionally significant development applications are assessed by one of four NSW regional planning panels. The Northern Region Planning Panel is an independent body that is not subject to the direction of the Minister for Planning.
Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb says it’s exciting to see further progress made towards the local campus development.
“Having a UNE campus in Tamworth is a key strategic factor in the growth and development of the Tamworth region,” Mr Webb said.
“It’s not only an educational win for our residents who will be able to study while continuing to live and work here, but also an economic one through the construction activity it will bring.”
“It will add to the great lifestyle and opportunities our region offers.”
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty says this is an exciting next step in the University’s development.
“It’s fantastic to see this project getting even closer, it’s good news for Tamworth and good news for the region,” Minister Moriarty said.
“Having another first-class educational facility in regional NSW will mean locals can study and stay close to home, and we will have professionals graduating from university into jobs in our regional centres.”
The construction of UNE Tamworth Central is possible thanks to $26.6 million from the NSW Government’s $500 million Growing Local Economies Fund, under the Restart NSW Fund, and contributions by UNE, Tamworth Regional Council and the Federal Government.
Project Management firm, Touchstone Partners, will deliver the project. Local firm Hill Lockart Architects will provide onsite advice and monitoring during the construction period.
UNE Tamworth is intended to complement UNE’s Armidale and Sydney campuses and extend the comprehensive support UNE provides both formally and informally through study centres, research facilities, incubators and broader outreach across the region.
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