University of Sydney announces new campus
Australia’s oldest university, the University of Sydney has announced plans to open a new campus in Western Sydney.
The move reinforces the rapid expansion of Sydney’s west and its growing significance within the Greater Sydney Region.
The new $500 million, 25,000 student campus is being delivered in partnership with the NSW government.
The campus will specialise in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and data.
The exact location of the campus is yet to be confirmed by Sydney University, however the proposed site currently is within the heritage precinct within the Parramatta North growth centre. Negotiations between Sydney University and the NSW Government will continue over the coming months to finalise the exact location.
“The entry of our oldest, and arguably most prestigious university into the heart of Western Sydney signifies the breadth and depth of investment going into this region. Western Sydney is already expanding at a rapid rate, and with more quality employment, infrastructure and education options, the region will become an even more attractive place to live, study and work,” said Ironfish Head of Property, William Mitchell.
Phase one of the new campus is expected to be complete by 2030, with capacity for 6100 students, as well as creating 3100 local jobs, and more than 1000 affordable housing places and social infrastructures.
The second phase, to be completed by 2050, is expected to attract 25,000 students, create 20,000 jobs and inject $13 billion to the state NSW economy.
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence said the announcement crystallised a “once-in-a-century opportunity to create an economic, intellectual, social and cultural asset in the heart of greater Sydney.”
The announcement also comes amidst an infrastructure boom in Western Sydney, including kick off on earthworks for the new airport at Badgerys Creek along with important new rail links.
Badgerys Creek and surrounding suburbs have been identified as a 3rd city of Sydney, complete with its own CBD (along with Parramatta and the traditional CBD in the east) according to the 3 cities plan unveiled by the Greater Sydney Commission late last year.