Architectus will deliver a design that enables UNE to transform the disused velodrome site on the edge of the CBD into a campus connected to the broader UNE teaching, learning and research network.
Principal at Architectus, Karl Eckermann, said the firm is honoured to collaborate with UNE on this important community project for Tamworth.
“We share UNE’s vision for an agile, adaptable, and resilient education campus that will deliver a community-centric approach to teaching, learning, research, and regional industry engagement,” Mr Eckermann said.
“We have assembled a highly motivated team of design professionals to co-create an architecturally significant and culturally responsive campus.”
UNE Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Evans said UNE Tamworth Central will be the anchor for UNE’s offering in Tamworth.
“I am excited to have reached this critical milestone in the process of developing our campus in Tamworth,” Professor Evans said.
“UNE is deeply committed to UNE Tamworth Central. Through this project we would like to create greater opportunities for higher education and professional development in Tamworth. The design process that we now embark on will accommodate the changing needs of education in the decades to come.
“I very much look forward to working with our partners, led by Architectus, to bring UNE Tamworth to life. The next stage in the project will be community and stakeholder consultation on design and function of the building.
“I would also like to acknowledge the support of the NSW Government and Tamworth Regional Council, and the ongoing efforts of both the Tamworth University Reference Group and Tamworth local member Kevin Anderson in bringing a university presence to Tamworth,” Professor Evans said.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the appointment of an architect was a big leap forward for a project that the community had been fighting for.
“The Tamworth UNE Campus is a top priority of mine which is why I fought for the NSW Government’s $26.6 million commitment towards the project,” Mr Anderson said.
“We know how important it is to build a university campus in Tamworth. Not only will the campus bring with it jobs, but it will give our kids access to tertiary education right on their doorstep, meaning parents will no longer have to send their kids away.”
Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb welcomed the appointment of an architect.
“Council is pleased to see action on this really important project – we look forward to seeing the design progress and evolve into to what I am sure will be a landmark building in Tamworth’s CBD,” he said.
The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Member for New England said “This is a great outcome after lobbying for tens of millions of dollars in funding to get the deal across the line.”
“I went to UNE and want others in our electorate and across the nation to have the same marvellous opportunity. It is an integral part of our region and for regional Australia as a whole.”
The construction of UNE Tamworth Central is possible thanks to $26.6 million from the NSW Government’s$500 million Growing Local Economies Fund, underthe Restart NSW Fund, and contributions by UNE, Tamworth Regional Council and the Federal Government.
Once completed, UNE Tamworth will complement UNE’s Armidale campus and extend the comprehensive support UNE provides both formally and informally through study centres, research facilities, incubators and broader outreach across the region.
Initial images of the building will be available after the master planning and concept design phase is complete, expected late 2023.
Construction is expected to begin mid-2024.
UNE Tamworth Central is expected to be completed in late 2025, and available for teaching and learning in 2026.
