Construction set to begin on the University of Newcastle’s new Central Coast Campus

The University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said it marked a major milestone for the project, and once complete would provide improved access to tertiary education for people living on the Central Coast. 

“Together with our funding partners, we had a vision almost five years ago to create a contemporary campus in the heart of Gosford. I’m pleased that we have taken the next step today to realise our vision and mark the start of construction of our new state-of-the-art campus,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“Our Campus will provide a new place for people to study and build their skills, preparing work-ready graduates to help meet the changing needs of the Central Coast. It will also generate new jobs, help to bolster the region’s workforce, and attract more significant investment back to the community. 

“With a number of high schools located close by, and businesses at our doorstep, we hope that our new campus can inspire people to pursue their higher education studies and help pave the path to their dream careers.  

“Over the next 18 months we look forward to working closely with our project team and local contractors to strengthen our commitment to the Central Coast community, before we officially open the campus doors to students in 2025.”

Programs offered at the new Central Coast Campus are expected to include degrees in business with expanded majors, education, social work and pathway programs. 

The initial construction activities that will be conducted before the end of this year will include site establishment, archaeological investigations, demolition and excavation. 

Minister for the Central Coast Hon David Harris MP, highlighted the opportunity the new campus will bring to people on the coast.

“We are proud to make this investment in the future of the people of the Central Coast. Access to education is a great equaliser, and will bring new opportunities for today’s school children and workers.

“This campus, located close to the Clinical School, the Hospital, local businesses and TAFE, is bringing higher education into the heart of a revitalised Gosford town centre.” 

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP, said he eagerly supports the new University of Newcastle Central Coast Campus Development. 

“I welcome the commencement of construction for the new University of Newcastle Central Coast Campus, which is an exciting development in the heart of Gosford.

“The Central Coast Campus will bring new education opportunities to the people of the Central Coast and help reinvigorate Gosford city,” Dr Reid said. 

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch welcomed the next phase of the Central Coast Campus project and said this was an exciting step forward for the development. 

“As a University of Newcastle graduate, I have fought long and hard for this campus to become a reality and it is so exciting that work on the Mann Street, Gosford Campus will be starting. I have spoken to community members from across the Central Coast, who are thrilled to have this world-class educational institution one step closer to teaching the next generation of our learners.

“The Mann Street Campus is a fabulous addition to the growing innovative hub that is Gosford, bringing state of the art educational opportunities, significantly expanding access to tertiary education across the Central Coast.

“Our community deserves the opportunity to get a world-class opportunity right here on the Central Coast. The Australian and NSW Government have shown our commitment to investing in the future of the Central Coast education landscape.

“The Mann Street Campus is set to play such an important role in the future of Gosford City and I look forward to seeing the campus open in 2025.” 

The new Central Coast Campus in Gosford is funded by the University of Newcastle ($27.8 million), the Australian Government ($18 million), and the NSW Government ($18 million) using land provided by the NSW Government's Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation.  

The project is scheduled for completion by mid-2025.

Central Coast Campus facts and figures

• We expect to welcome up to 900 students when campus doors open in 2025
• The campus land size is 4672m²
• The building size is ~ 4,550m²
• The building will be 4 levels high
• The construction of the Central Coast Campus is estimated to create up to 140 annual Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs in each of the two years.
• The building will be designed and built for 6 Star ‘Design and As Built’ rating
• We are working closely with the First Nations Working Group on building and design features, as well as artwork and language opportunities that will feature in the building.