CDU to open talks with community on Top End campuses

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is about to begin consulting with the Darwin and Palmerston communities as it plans for the future use of its three campuses in the Top End.

Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University Professor Simon Maddocks said that with CDU continuing to work on developing a new campus in Darwin’s CBD as part of the City Deal, it was timely that a new masterplan be developed for the Casuarina, Palmerston and Waterfront campuses.

Professor Maddocks said all three campuses were valuable assets and it was essential that the community had a voice in how the university could best use them to meet the education, training, research and community needs of the Northern Territory into the future.

“The changing Northern Territory economy, greater competition in the domestic and global education marketplace, and a change in the way people access tertiary education give CDU cause to reflect on and review the usage of the campuses to best position the university for future success,” Professor Maddocks said.

“With planning for the CBD campus well underway, it’s the appropriate time to consider our broader assets as part of a strategy for transformation and harnessing opportunity.

“We have been refining university needs and expectations around the three Top End campuses during the past few months in preparation for broader community input on how these campuses could be further developed for the future.”

The university has appointed multi-disciplinary consultants Hames Sharley to lead the master planning process for the Casuarina, Palmerston and Waterfront campuses.

“The process will include engagement with staff, students, stakeholders and neighbours to gain the key insights of those who use the campuses and can best identify their potential,” Professor Maddocks said.

Consultation will run from September to November and during early 2020. The final plan is expected in late March 2020. People can register their interest in being involved and staying up to date at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cdumasterplan