Southern Cross University to expand with $20m Gold Coast campus
Southern Cross University has announced plans to build a new $20 million campus on a site adjacent to the Gold Coast Airport and to transform its existing Tweed Heads campus into a Graduate College of Management.
The new campus site is controlled by the Gold Coast Airport Corporation.
Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Clark said the development of a new campus on a greenfield site would provide great opportunities for future growth.
“This is a really exciting step and a vital element in our vision for Southern Cross University. It demonstrates our absolute commitment to providing for the educational needs of the community from the Tweed Shire through to the Gold Coast,” Professor Clark said.
“We have completed a thorough investigation of the alternative sites available, including the expansion of our present site. The site adjacent to the Gold Coast Airport will provide the best opportunity for developing a modern facility to cater for our long-term growth.”
Professor Clark said the University would now enter into negotiations with the Gold Coast Airport Corporation to secure a development site. If negotiations are successful it is expected building could start before the end of this year.
The total cost of the first stage of a new campus is expected to be in the vicinity of $20 million and is anticipated to include $4 million in capital funding already allocated from the Federal Government.
Professor Clark said it was hoped the new campus would have its first intake of students in 2009 and would offer courses in areas including allied health, education, business and tourism.
The existing campus in Brett Street, Tweed Heads, will be transformed into a Graduate College of Management (GCM), including an executive development facility. It will cater for international and domestic students undertaking postgraduate programs.
