11 October 2023: The University of Canberra’s vision to develop an integrated and connected community where scholars, students and the public intermingle is one step closer to fruition with the acquisition of approximately 15 hectares of land, valued at $66 million, on the University of Canberra’s Bruce campus being close to completion as announced by one of Australia’s leading residential real estate developers, Peet Limited, today.
“The acquisition is now unconditional, and the transfer will come into effect in November 2023,” said University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Paddy Nixon.
“Strong research and teaching collaborations have been linked to this partnership, including the establishment of a PEET-funded Built Environment Professorial Chair, the delivery of research projects and relevant Work Integrated Learning opportunities for UC students.”
The proposed residential development will enable a more natural connection between the university, Lake Ginninderra and the Belconnen town centre.
“It will bring to life our Campus Master Plan vision for the delivery of a residential development that will connect our campus to the surrounding suburbs, and with it significantly increase the number of Canberrans living their educated life as part of our community.”
The landholding acquisition will enable the university to plan for the long-term investments needed for the development of its Bruce campus, and to build on its teaching and research capabilities.
“We are making good progress on many other strategic campus development projects including the development of the business case for our Sports Hub 2 campus development, which we hope will be the next major infrastructure project realised on our campus,” said Professor Nixon.
Sports Hub 2 envisages a multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility with the capacity for a 3500-seat mixed use indoor stadium that will be home to our UC Capitals, high performance training and research areas, community use indoor courts and fitness space.
“Our connected learning community brings organisations from the ACT, Australia and around the world to the University to collaborate and create new knowledge, provide work-integrated learning opportunities for students and develop solutions that impact generations from childhood years to senior years, through our common commitment to lifelong learning.”
The University of Canberra Master Plan, released in March 2021, outlines a vision for the UC campus supporting a living, working and student population of 45,000 made up of 12,000 residents, 15,000 students and an enterprise and business population of over 18,000.