Major milestone for Honeysuckle campus as sustainable build “tops out”
The University of Newcastle’s first stage of its Honeysuckle City campus hit a major milestone today with the Stage 1A building ‘topping out’ and on track to be the first 6-star Green Star building for sustainable development in regional NSW.
University of Newcastle Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Professor Mark Hoffman, thanked Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes for visiting the region to celebrate the landmark event for University of Newcastle. He also welcomed leaders from local government and Hunter Innovation Project representatives, who have been central to delivering a new Innovation Hub for the region.
“I’m proud of the team who have worked hard over the last seven months to reach this significant milestone in the first stage of our Honeysuckle City campus, and acknowledge the support of our community partners, and the City of Newcastle,” Professor Hoffman said.
“We know many of the jobs that exist today weren’t imagined little over a decade ago and by co-locating SOCI and I2N in this state-of-the-art facility, the University is providing local students opportunities to develop working relationships with start-ups and gain experience in key growth industries.
“Stage 1A represents a big part of our strategic vision for this region and it is here, students will learn from leading academics in communication, media, film and television, events production, sound and music, animation and creative art disciplines in next-generation studios and classrooms.”
Minister Stokes said the $23.5 million Honeysuckle City Campus, which is situated on brownfield land, was part of the NSW Government’s Planning System Assessment Program to fast-track shovel ready projects in response to the pandemic.
“I’m pleased to be in Newcastle to mark this major construction milestone for the campus after we fast-tracked it in the planning system,” Mr Stokes said.
“Not only is it a contemporary and sustainable building for current and future students to enjoy, but it represents jobs and investment in the Hunter.
“More than 780 jobs will be created as a result and this is the type of boost the region needs in what has been a tough year for everyone.”
Minister Stokes announced the topping out at the new Integrated Innovation Network Hub (I2N) and expanded University of Newcastle School of Creative Industries (SOCI).
“I’m pleased to be here to mark this major construction milestone after the NSW Government fast-tracked the $25 million Honeysuckle City Campus in April,” Mr Stokes said.
“It’s great to be able to congratulate the university in being a leader in sustainable construction and delivering buildings that exceed environmental standards.
“The building’s architecture is incredible and the University’s positioning to achieve a Green Building Council of Australia 6-Star rating is outstanding.
“This building represents new standards in education, innovation, enterprise and environmentally-sustainable infrastructure for this region and the NSW Government is proud to have supported the progress of the Honeysuckle City campus.”
For further information please contact media@newcastle.edu.au on 02 4921 5577
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.