Campus master planning

Campus master planning helps guide how we plan, design and shape our university campuses, spaces and buildings for the future. This process benefits not only our students and staff but also our local communities.

To ensure our campuses are vibrant, fit for purpose and aligned to the vision of the Charles Sturt University Strategy 2030, in the next 3 years, we will develop Campus Master Plans for Wagga Wagga and Bathurst that:

  • Match our goals: We want our campuses to be lively and just right for their purpose.
  • Guide future planning: This will help us decide how we build new facilities, fix what's already there, and decide when it's time to let go of others.
  • Help everyone: The campus master plans will lead to changes that benefit all of us at the University and those in our wider community.
  • Share our story: They will support our efforts to get people excited about what we're doing, connect with the community, build partnerships, and share our ambitions.

Our four pillars and project themes

Campuses are places where learning is one of many functions. We will use the pillars to connect a range of considerations and provide an overall end goal for Charles Sturt's campuses.

Our 6 project themes organise inputs, outputs and coordinate work for the University and the project team. A number of strategic needs ensure that the university receives fit-for purpose outputs.

Download our information pack

FAQs

Some answers to some commonly asked questions!

The University Portfolio Plan is a strategic document that will provide future guidance as to how the university’s facilities and campuses will support the academic, research, community and partnership aspirations and strategies. The University will respond and evolve with the changing learning landscape with the renewal of individual campuses and their unique role and character within the regions.

The Campus Master Plan will use the Portfolio Plan as brief to deliver a vision, set of principles, key manoeuvres and a series of spatial strategies that will guide the future development of a specific campus. It will be largely driven by each campus’ character, context and community.

Please refer to the information pack for more details.

Periodically, master plans are reviewed and updated to align campus infrastructure with the University's strategies and evolving needs. They guide the University’s physical growth by outlining a design path.

A typical campus master plan encompasses key elements like infrastructure, green spaces, residences, and strategic development. It also addresses transportation, parking, walkways, and aims to increase accessibility by strategically placing facilities closer together for convenience. Background information, spatial strategies, and catalysis precincts enhance the plan, with a practical implementation program ensuring its realisation.

Challenges like balancing diverse user needs, require thorough engagement and understanding. Long timeframes can pose flexibility concerns, requiring adaptable plans that still uphold core goals. Addressing these challenges ensures flexible, inclusive and resilient outcomes.

We are engaging staff, students, partners and the broader community through extensive targeted consultation to ensure a quality planning process. This includes:

  • In depth consultations with leaders to understand challenges, strategies, performance and investment
  • Workshops that unpack the project pillars, themes, strategic vision and student perspectives
  • First Nations specific consultation, undertaken by Djinjama
  • Community engagement, undertaken by JOC Consulting

As experts in their field, Hassell has lead an extensive range of design projects in various industries, with notable achievements in the education sector.

Hassell has also engaged key specialist consultants to drive engagement and high quality outcomes in specific areas of the project. You can view the project team in the information pack.

"We design education spaces that blur the boundaries between study, work and play. They’re magnets for the best and brightest – places people want to be each day".

The campus master plan plays a crucial role in shaping a vibrant atmosphere that influences and enriches student experiences.  It enhances the learning environment and ensures the university stays adaptable to new teaching methods, learning modes, and technologies. It also impacts social interactions and accommodation, creating a well-rounded university experience.

As a strategic blueprint, it guides resource allocation to enhance the campus, allowing everyone to have a shared vision for the place they come together to live, work, study, and play.

The campus master plan embraces sustainability through various avenues, such as repurposing existing facilities to reduce carbon impact, and prioritising the expansion and protection of surrounding biodiversity areas. This holistic approach reflects the University's dedication to sustainable and thoughtful development.

Staying true to the University ethos of yindyamarra winhanganha, key consideration is given to social and cultural diversity and inclusiveness that empowers First Nations connections, history, culture and landscape.

The master plan program starts with Wagga Wagga and Bathurst due to their age, unique characteristics, geographical complexity, and their role supporting the University 2030 strategy. Reviewing other campuses will be guided by the Executive Leadership Team to ensure alignment with the University's vision and objectives.