Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Two years ago, in April 2019, the Morrison government made an $18 million commitment towards a multicampus university in the heart of the Gosford CBD. This investment represented the start of stage 2 of our partnership with the University of Newcastle to deliver a university in Gosford, with the funds going towards infrastructure, including the design, development, construction and fit-out of a university campus extension. This commitment built on the jointly funded $85 million Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute, which will open its doors to students, clinicians and researchers in July this year. I'm so pleased to be able to update the House that, after advocating for over two years for a location for a multi-campus university, the New South Wales government announced on Monday that the site of the former Mitre 10 on Mann Street in Gosford is their preferred location for a second university campus. When all levels of government work together, we really can achieve great things for our region. With $36 million in infrastructure funding from the federal government and the University of Newcastle, this announcement is certainly welcomed and something I have long advocated for. My dream is for Gosford to be known as an innovation city with a world-class university precinct, driving more opportunities for local residents, creating jobs and supporting enterprise. I'm advised by university that planning for the project is well underway. (Time expired)