THE news that CQUniversity has locked in the site for a campus in the heart of Cairns’ CBD will be a much-needed shot in the arm for the city, says Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch.
CQU Vice Chancellor, Professor Scott Bowman, announced today that the Cairns campus will be located in the Cairns Square complex on Abbott St, and will cater for 2500 students within five years.
“This is fantastic news and I’m so pleased that CQU has seen the potential in our city,” Mr Entsch said. “Cairns will be the first regional town with two universities.
“The immediate benefit of having 2500 students studying here will be around quarter of a billion dollars a year, plus there will be a whole range of flow-on benefits.
“The opportunities for local traders such as eateries and retail shops will be extensive, accommodation will be at a premium, and we know that the spending of international students is much higher than for those who live with their families.
“This is really an incredible adrenalin shot in the heart for our CBD.”
Mr Entsch has been working with CQUniversity for a number of years and was privileged to officially open their Cairns Study Centre on Florence St in April 2012.
“CQU has really embraced our community – their level of engagement is to be commended, particularly in their sponsorship of the Cairns Taipans and their work with indigenous communities.
“I’m also very pleased that Jodie Duignan-George has been brought on board as the Associate Vice-Chancellor to head up the Cairns campus – Jodie is highly experienced in this area.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with CQU and – once this CBD campus is established – see how we can take things to the next level and significantly increase capacity.”
Mr Entsch also congratulated Cairns MP Gavin King for gaining a $1m election commitment for CQU that will enable it to offer a four-year engineering course, the first time a degree in this field will be available in Cairns.
The Cairns CBD campus will open in June 2015 with a selected range of courses.
