Callaghan Campus Heart

The Callaghan Campus Heart project, located at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus, aims to enhance the student and community experience by creating a vibrant, student and community focused centre of activity.

It will consolidate key services, retail options, and events into a dynamic central hub, providing a destination that is activated through the day and supports evening and weekend events.

The main priorities of the Callaghan Campus Heart project are to consolidate key student campus services within the Shortland Building, Auchmuty Library and Language Centre, ensuring a seamless connection to services and support, retail and events.

The Callaghan Campus Heart project will be delivered in phases over the next three years. Phase 1 has commenced and is expected to be completed in 2025. Planning and development of the project’s future phases is ongoing.

Phase 1

Shortland Building

The Shortland Building will become a central location for student-focused events, activities and engagement, enhanced with new spaces to support campus life such as new facilities for The University of Newcastle Students’ Association (UNSA), a new commercial kitchen and a student lounge.

Auchmuty Library

With a focus on student engagement, accessibility and inclusion, a new Central Service Point and ASKUoN hub will be incorporated along with a refresh of the reading room on level four. This will create a vibrant, welcoming place where students can access the support and services they need to succeed.

Language Centre

The Language Centre received a refresh, transforming existing rooms into contemporary workspaces, to increase workspace capacity for Student Central’s program advice and international student support teams near the new Central Service Point in Auchmuty Library.

The Callaghan Campus Heart project reflects the university's commitment to fostering a vibrant and dynamic campus life that attracts students, staff, industry partners, and the community while improving access to academic and support services.

Project Timeline

  • September 2024: Project planning and consultation.
  • October - December 2024: Design development and procurement.
  • December 2024 and expected to be complete in February 2025: Auchmuty Library and Language Centre works commence.
  • May 2025 and complete in October 2025: Shortland Building works commence.

Get in touch

For more information and updates on the Callaghan Campus Heart project, please visit this page regularly or contact the Project Manager, jamie.graham@newcastle.edu.au