The remediation of the site by Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) to remove the velodrome and level the site is the first stage in the development of the campus, the design of which was unveiled by UNE in October 2023.
UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Moran said he is pleased to see the start of remediation of the site in the Tamworth CBD but there are still planning processes to be completed before any building can commence.
“I am grateful for Council’s contribution to this important project for the city of Tamworth, which is the land upon which we will build our Campus, and the remediation of the site to prepare it for development.
“The UNE project team are ready and waiting to move to the tender process for this signature building. We only need our Development Application, submitted in November 2023, to be approved, for demolition and site preparation to be completed, and the land handed to UNE through a formal subdivision process via a DA to be submitted by Council.
“I await with anticipation these approvals and works to be completed to allow UNE Tamworth to finally get underway in our new premises.”
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the works commencing are an important step in UNE delivering more services.
“This is an extremely important project for Tamworth, and the greater Northern Tablelands, allowing UNE to deliver more learning and training outside its Armidale campus,” Minister Moriarty said.
Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb says "This will be a huge boost for Tamworth to be able to provide higher education opportunities. It will undoubtedly help us achieve core strategies in our Blueprint 100 plan, including creating more jobs, more skills and a more liveable community. It is will enable us to retain more school leavers from the area and enhance opportunities for mature age students."
Award winning architectural firm Architectus was appointed in March 2023 to lead the design of the Tamworth Central Campus. Project Management firm, Touchstone Partners, will deliver the project. Local firm Hill Lockart Architects will provide onsite advice and monitoring during the construction period.
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.
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.
