New Gold Coast campus takes shape

The final 32-metre long roof sheets are being installed on the foundation building of Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus, paving the way for work to begin on the interior of the building, which is quickly becoming a landmark in the region.

Located just 400 metres from North Kirra Beach, the campus will open to students in February next year, offering courses in business, convention and event management, international tourism management and law and paralegal studies.

This will complement courses in secondary and early childhood education, occupational therapy, social science and sport management at existing Southern Cross University facilities – SCU Lakeside at Caloola Drive, Tweed Heads and SCU
Riverside at Brett Street, Tweed Heads. A Bachelor of Nursing and a Bachelor of Midwifery (subject to accreditation from the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board and University Council approval) will also be offered at SCU Lakeside in 2010.

Professor Paul Clark, Vice-Chancellor of Southern Cross University, said as well as supporting the local economy, the University aimed to engage with and support the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales community.

“We have developed strong links with the Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Institute of TAFE and the Gold Coast Sport Business Taskforce as well as a range of other local community organisations and businesses,” Professor Clark said.

“Our aim is to provide not only new educational opportunities for students, but to contribute to the social, economic and cultural development of this region.

“The construction of the building itself has already had a significant impact locally and as the interior fit-out gets underway it is expected up to 65 people will be working on the site each day.”

Professor Clark said there would be more than 1000 students studying at the University’s three Tweed and Gold Coast locations in 2010, building to several thousand over the next few years. He said it was also anticipated the campus would be a strong drawcard for international students.

A feature of the new campus will be a one stop student ‘hub’ designed to meet all student needs. The hub will be manned by specially trained staff and will include self-help computer stations, large plasma screens for the communication of information updates and separate booths for individual student consultation.

The campus will be designed to provide a safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists and is situated on a transport corridor with access to public bus routes. It will include free on-site parking for staff and students, with provision to expand the parking area to meet increased demand as future developments progress on the site.

Media alert: Media are invited to attend the site of the new campus today, Friday June 12 at 11.30am. Professor Paul Clark, Vice Chacellor of Southern Cross University will be available for interview.

Please report to the site office at 11.30am at Southern Cross University’s new Gold Coast campus off the Gold Coast Highway at Bilinga next to the Gold Coast Airport.

Closed shoes are preferred. Please call Zuleika Henderson, media officer, Southern Cross University Gold Coast and Tweed Heads: 07 5506 9385 or 0408 644533 for further directions or information.

Photo: Southern Cross University’s new Gold Coast campus (high resolution and aerial images available on request).