THE future is looking bright for the Hastings when it comes to major capital works, with Charles Sturt University’s plans to develop a full-service campus for up to 5000 students by 2030 at Innes Lake only one of several major projects on the drawing board.
The campus will provide a multitude of benefits for the Mid North Coast region, including growth in the range of opportunities for higher education students in the area, an increase in participation rates in professional fields and an increase in the number of skilled professionals working in the area.
It will also be an attraction for international students, further diversifying the region, and making Port Macquarie a centre for higher education and research in Australia.
The design of the $42 million first-stage will be officially unveiled later this week by CSU vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Vann.
Building and construction is also up across the Hastings in general, with a healthy 20 per cent jump in the past three months.
Councillor Trevor Sargeant discusses the campus and other major works planned in the new column Inside Council, which will be a regular feature in the Independent, rotating in turn between councillors.
See page 9 for the first column.
