Local member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Col Murray and members of the Tamworth University Reference Group, provided updates.
Members of community, media, UNE students past and present addressed the meeting and talked about the progress of the project, and provided their own perspective on a university for Tamworth.
UNE Vice Chancellor and CEO Brigid Heywood told the meeting she was impressed and inspired by the sheer level of support for a university campus in Tamworth.
“We have to find our own ways to make our future matter, and to make our future happen – and I believe that’s what the UNE Tamworth project is all about.
“This is the first stage of a big, long term project. Our next steps are to consider the facilities that we know we will need based on the consultation completed, and have that translated into a first level architectural plan.
“We then need to look at suitable physical sites that will allow an initial campus facility to be created but also have the potential for us to grow within the CBD.
“By the end of the year we should have a map that says this is how the future Tamworth campus will look like, in order to put a shovel in the ground and start building.
“UNE, Tamworth Regional Council and the Tamworth University Reference Group are aligned in our commitment to progress this project and develop Tamworth as a University city,” she said.
New courses commenced from UNE Tamworth in Trimester 1 2021, based out of UNE’s new industry hubs in the Sports Dome and AELEC.
“UNE has developed a bespoke model of higher education in Tamworth that responds to local needs. It embeds education with industry and provides pathways to learning through both traditional and non-traditional courses – including embracing the recently approved undergraduate certificates under the ‘Job-Ready Graduates’ reform package,” Professor Heywood said.
UNE Tamworth is expected to deliver over $600 million in economic benefits to the region over the next 10 years, from the construction phase through to tourism revenue and student and university expenditure.
Photo by Andrew Messenger, Northern Daily Leader
