Three leading institutions will formalise a commitment to establishing an education precinct in the Ourimbah town centre that is poised to deliver significant economic and social benefits to the region.
The University of Newcastle, Wyong Shire Council and TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that instigates a masterplanning exercise for the Ourimbah town centre, accommodating future growth of the Central Coast campus. The masterplan will promote business and investment to develop the town centre into an education and training precinct.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Saunders, said the University was very pleased to be working with Wyong Council and TAFE towards establishing an education precinct.
“With projected significant growth, the University is seeking opportunities to enable future expansion of educational and research facilities at the Central Coast as well as student accommodation.
“The development of an education precinct in Ourimbah, incorporating the campus and town centre, offers some excellent opportunities for the region,” Professor Saunders said.
Wyong Shire Council has recognised Ourimbah town centre is a key strategic location for the future development of the Central Coast.
Mayor Bob Graham said by promoting Ourimbah as an education and training precinct, it would help stimulate investment to serve a growing student population.
“Council recognises the importance of developing the vision for Ourimbah town centre as an education and training precinct that supports and enhances the growth of education, training and research and attracts business and investment,” Mayor Graham said.
“This MoU will help drive the masterplanning process and create planning controls to get more students on the campus and drive local investment opportunities. The masterplan and planning controls will help create different height and floor space ratio controls and stimulate student accommodation on private lands.”
TAFE Associate Director, Christine Warrington, said TAFE was proud to partner with Wyong Council and the University of Newcastle to provide the region with a centre for high quality education and training.
“TAFE has three campuses on the Central Coast enrolling over 14,000 students. This partnership will cement our commitment to provide increased pathways for residents of the Central Coast to further their education and training.”
Media contacts: University of Newcastle - Carmen Swadling on 02 4985 4276 or 0428 038 477, Wyong Shire Council - Cameron Bell on 02 4350 1667 or 0434 324 645 and TAFE NSW – Sarah McNamara on 02 4923 7314 and 0419 763 919.
