Minister Barr: Strengthening CBR?s higher education sector
- Written by ACT Government
Released 04/06/2015
Today I joined the Minister for Planning Mick Gentleman to announce the Assembly has passed legislation that will pave the way for a billion dollars in investment on the University of Canberra campus, create new jobs and attract the best students and researchers to the ACT. The Planning and Development (University of Canberra and Other Leases) Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 will give an important boost to economic investment and job growth in the Canberra region by enabling construction activity on the University of Canberra (UC) Campus enabling the university to expand its facilities and improve its amenities. Despite the Canberra Liberals adopting their Federal colleagues’ anti-university stance by opposing a secure future for the University of Canberra, opposing new jobs and opposing investment in our city, the ACT Government today supported a strong future for the ACT economy and our University. The Liberals’ higher education spokesman made no contribution to this debate and it is disappointing that their only higher education policy is to stand in the way of growth and innovation – and try to put the future of a major employer in jeopardy. The ACT Government has an important relationship with our local higher education and research sector which contributes approximately $2.5 billion per annum to the ACT’s economy. The passing of this Bill demonstrates our dedication to supporting the tertiary education sector and encouraging investment in the ACT through innovative urban renewal. Today we have supported the University of Canberra’s Campus Master Plan and Urban Plan which will expand the university’s role in the higher education sector, promoting the ACT as a destination of choice for academic research and development. The legislative amendments introduce a new leasing model which will allow UC to continue with its planned development by permitting a building on campus to be unit titled. The components of the new leasing model that relate to the unit titling of a building on subleased land are restricted to UC as a perpetual Crown lease holder in the first instance. Through a range of initiatives, my Government is assisting the University of Canberra to unlock new income streams and boost its reserves through diversifying its operations, developing the campus and attracting other organisations to share its largely undeveloped, approximately 118-hectare site. UC is more than a provider of education services and I know that this Bill will help the universtiy continue to be a multi-faceted institution which engages in successful research and collaboration, offering cultural, sporting, professional, technical and vocational services, and engaging in public discourse. My government is committed to ensuring our tertiary education institutions are given every opportunity to thrive and expand. Building our universities is an important part of diversifying our economy by playing to our strengths as one of the world’s top student cities with a strong higher education and research sector. Together, they currently add $2.75 billion to our economy each year and support almost 16,000 jobs. Canberra is one of the world’s top student cities. Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said: “These flexible leasing arrangements will allow UC to develop its 117 hectare campus into a world class educational facility. “These changes will create a new leasing model for subleasing of land at the University of Canberra will encourage more investment, more jobs and allow growth in the student population. “This Bill, along with the current draft variation to the territory plan will allow the UC to work collaboratively with government, developers and the community, draw national and international investment into the region, and encourage organic growth and flow-on effects of increased demand for goods and services across the ACT. “The Government has ensured that safe guards for the community be continued for any proposed development with a development application still being required. New subleases will be approved by the planning and land authority. “These changes show the government is serious about supporting the tertiary education sector and encouraging investment in the ACT through responsible and innovative urban renewal.”- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
