Lendlease Building has been selected as the ACT Government’s preferred contractor to design and construct the new CIT campus in the Woden Town Centre.
In a statement, the ACT Government said the new Woden CIT campus project “will deliver modern and inviting educational facilities for around 6,500 CIT students as well as great new public and green spaces that everyone can enjoy”.
“The ACT Government’s partnership with Lendlease will deliver a state-of-the-art campus in Canberra’s south, creating around 520 jobs and strengthening Canberra’s position as the knowledge capital of Australia,” said Minister for Skills, Chris Steel.
“Lendlease has a long history in Woden Town Centre and is experienced locally and internationally in the delivery of large, complex infrastructure projects. We are confident their expertise in design and construction will support the successful delivery of a sustainable, innovative and modern CIT campus with digitally-enabled learning spaces, activated common areas and integrated green spaces.”
This investment will see the delivery of key facilities including:
- Smart classrooms
- State-of-the-art simulated learning environments
- Commercial kitchens
- Hands-on training spaces to support approximately 6500 students annually in IT, cyber security, hospitality and business
- Youth Foyer housing to support vulnerable young people, undertaking training or study.
Targets have been set for the project to attract more women into construction roles and strengthen the participation of Indigenous enterprises.
“This campus is for VET students and will be built by VET students with local trainees and apprentices employed to gain valuable skills on this major construction site,” said Mr Steel.
Once in contract, Lendlease will work closely with the ACT Government to finalise the design of the new campus. Community and stakeholder working groups will also be established, to provide input into the project’s design development. These groups will provide input on topics such as sustainability, the building’s functions, the public realm within the precinct and cultural inclusions.
“We’ve been engaging with the community on this project for the past two years to inform the design at each stage, including the current Estate Development Plan,” he said.
Key findings from the most recent consultation show the community:
- wants public spaces around Woden that are clean and well maintained (75%)
- feels safer in public spaces which are activated by shops and cafes opening out to the public area (80%) and are wide, open and well lit (54%)
- believes the spaces and places around the transport interchange and new CIT campus should have lots of trees and green spaces (88%), new food and beverage options (58%) and easy access to local business, services (55%) and public toilets (54%) and
- thinks signage is important to help navigate the precinct (79%).
The project’s Estate Development Plan has recently been lodged and is now available for public comment via the ACT Planning and Land Authority website. The plan responds to community feedback about new path and road connections through the precinct including a new local access road between Bowes and Bradley streets, disability parking and pick-up and drop-off areas on Bradley Street to access the interchange and the CIT campus.
Improved public green spaces will include a new northern park with bike storage cages, and well-lit, safe connections between the public transport interchange and the Woden CIT building, to support use of the campus at all times of day.
“This project is re-shaping the future of the town centre and I encourage the community to have their say now and in future stages of the project’s design,” said Mr Steel.
Consultation on the Estate Development Plan has been open since 19 April, with the community invited to have its say until Thursday 12 May at www.planning.act.gov.au.
For more information about the project, ACT residents can visit www.act.gov.au/citcampuswoden or drop into the Woden Renewal Hub in the Woden Town Square to find out more about the project and provide feedback.
