The community is invited to comment on a new Strategic Masterplan for the University of Newcastle's Central Coast campus that provides a framework for coordinated future development over the coming years.
Campus Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director, Professor Stephen Crump, said the Strategic Masterplan was a conceptual document on the future of the campus.
"Over the next two years, further studies will be undertaken on each of the identified priority projects to determine their feasibility," Professor Crump said.
"I encourage the community to review the plans and provide feedback about the future of the campus."
The Masterplan sets out the principles that would underpin the renewal of the campus and its projected future growth.
"The Central Coast campus is surrounded by a unique natural landscape of considerable beauty however there are a number of constraints," Professor Crump said.
"These include the topography of the site, access, the isolated nature of various 'precincts' and campus pedestrian connections are all areas that need to be considered. The Masterplan identifies three key opportunities to overcome these identified issues."
The strategic priorities for the campus over the next 10 to 20 years are:
- Enhancing the vibrancy of the quadrangle to create a more usable space and establish it as the heart of activity on the campus
- Strengthening campus pedestrian routes and gathering spaces to connect spaces more efficiently and improve accessibility
- Developing a new mixed-use precinct combining residential, commercial and community services.
"The reinvigoration of the quadrangle, in particular, would make an incredible difference to the atmosphere of the campus," Professor Crump said.
"By developing a welcoming character through intuitive architectural design, we would reflect the relaxed and informal attitude of Central Coast students, staff and the community."
The Strategic Masterplan can be viewed on the University's website at:
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/master-planning/
Conceptual images for media are available on request. Please contact Blythe Hamilton, Media and PR.
