The $250 million campus with focus on health and community services.
Students on the Central Coast could soon have more local university options as the region moves one step forward to having a second campus on the Central Coast.
It was announced on Wednesday that the federal government has granted $18 million to the University of Newcastle (UON) for a health and innovation university precinct to be built in Gosford CBD.
The $250 million campus will offer degrees in areas like community health, social work, and digital communication, and is rumoured to feature high-tech teaching options like virtual reality labs.
The multi-million-dollar federal grant for the new plan is due to the high amount of health care and social assistance workers that are predicted to be needed in the next four years. Currently, it is estimated that an increase of 4,300 health and social workers will be needed on the Central Coast by 2023 to correlate with the growing population.
A University of Newcastle spokesman told NBN News that UON’s addition to the CBD is an important move in developing the city.
“Gosford is a vibrant and growing city, and the university wants to play its full role in seeing this city develop to its full potential,” he stated.
The exact site for the new campus is yet to be chosen, however it is predicted that it will be near the $85 million research centre in Gosford Hospital.
With the predicted site already undergoing a major parking crisis, UON has reassured residents that they will work with council to factor in carparking and accessibility during the planning stage.
“We’ll be working with all levels of government – council in particular – to make sure we get those practical arrangements right.”
SEE ALSO: Central Coast waterbills could soon be reduced by up to $300p/year
Written by Kate Stevens
Images: Getty
