Central Queensland University will act on its holdings on Rockhampton's East Street to respond to the greater needs of the community and direct scarce resources to learning, teaching and research activities, it was announced this week.

The University will seek interested parties for development of the heritage-listed Post Office building and will make way for the Department of Justice and Attorney General to return to 3 former courts buildings.

The former Supreme Court building
The heritage-listed former Post Office

"Teaching, learning and research is where CQU can have its most profound effect on students and the community. These new arrangements will help build up capacity in those areas and give other community stakeholders an opportunity to deliver additional benefits to the community," explained CQU Vice Chancellor and President John Rickard.

CQU, which purchased the Post Office in 1998, has - regrettably - been unable to realise numerous Post Office development proposals over the last decade. Various departments and administrative offices have occupied the former courts buildings since 1999.

"I support the decision made by the Council of CQU. It's time to let someone else have a go and for the Post Office - sooner rather than later - to return to pride of place in the city and contribute, again, to the fabric and sustainability of Rockhampton," added Professor John Rickard.

Outgoing Rockhampton Mayor Cr Margaret Strelow agrees.

"In a way, the Post Office has never really belonged to CQU but to our whole community. I'm happy to see that it's being given this chance to work hard again for Rockhampton. The right development will have immeasurable benefits for the City - it's a great gift to the new Rockhampton Regional Council," said Cr Strelow.

Last year, CQU began to conserve the sandstone façade of the 119-year-old heritage-listed Post Office. It is the first major exterior maintenance and conservation undertaken since the building's construction.

The Department of Justice and Attorney General is expected to return to the former District, Magistrates and Supreme court buildings by July. The University is relocating journalism and production facilities and staff to CQU's Ron Smyth building on Quay Street and other staff to the University's main campus.

"Universities operate differently now than ten years ago. There's a greater emphasis on integrated workplace learning instead of classroom learning and we're catering to more students who choose to study by distance education. It so happens that the Justice Department's current need for these buildings is greater than our own and we're fortunate to able to assist and accommodate them," said Professor Rickard.