DA approved for new CQUniversity Cairns campus

The Cairns community is a step closer to more local education opportunities, new jobs and a stronger future workforce, following approval of the development application for CQUniversity's proposed new Cairns campus.

The approval allows negotiations to progress for the transfer of Council-owned land at 20-30 Hartley Street, with construction targeted to begin before the end of the year.

Backed by a $77.5 million Australian Government funding commitment, the new campus is expected to create jobs during and after construction while expanding education and training opportunities across Far North Queensland.

The facility will increase training capacity in priority workforce areas including health, allied health and engineering, helping meet growing student demand and support the region's long-term workforce needs.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the University campus had been an opportunity to invest in development, jobs and skills.

“The approval of CQU’s development signals a significant milestone in this project. We can now move into negotiations for the land transfer,” she said.

“Council has a role to play in delivering sustainable economic growth for the region, but we need businesses and all levels of government to work with us.

“This has been a constructive example where Council, business and the Australian Government have contributed to ensuring this project will benefit our community.

“We have a chance to breathe more vibrancy into our city by having a major new University campus, creating jobs during and post construction, and building up the skills needed locally and across the country.”

In 2022, CQU was the successful tenderer for Council-owned land at 20-30 Hartley Street. There are several pre-requisites that need to be met for the land transfer to go ahead. This included lodging a development application, ahead of formal negotiations.