Deputy PM confirms millions for campus infrastructure
Published on 08 October, 2008
Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Julia Gillard visited Rockhampton Campus this week (Oct 8) to confirm almost $5.5m is allocated for infrastructure upgrades at CQUniversity...
Julia Gillard drove home the importance of modern facilities
Ms Gillard said the funding from the Better Universities Renewal Fund would help the University:
- upgrade its ICT network capacity from the current 1 Gigabit/second capacity to a more future-proof 10 Gb/s capacity;
- create teaching and research spaces for health and human performance in an upgraded/air-conditioned Community Sports Centre on Rockhampton Campus;
- and refurbish its Engineering Teaching and Research Precinct on Rockhampton Campus to develop a holistic environment for engineers and physicists.
She also mentioned that CQUniversity would be eligible to apply for other important capital developments via the Federal Government's $11 billion Education Investment Fund.
"It helps if staff and students are working with 21st Century facilities and equipment," she said.
Julia Gillard addresses the media on campus
Arriving on campus mid-morning, Ms Gillard and Federal Member for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore visited the mining equipment simulator room and spoke with Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean Elizabeth Taylor and Mining Industry Skills Centre CEO Derek Hunter.
Earlier, speaking on ABC Radio, Ms Gillard flagged the benefits of CQUniversity working with and addressing the needs of industry, in particular the resources sector.
The visitors also inspected the Community Sports Centre where it is proposed the extra funding will enable a range of upgrades including a mezzanine floor, air-conditioning, health and human performance teaching spaces, new physiology and biomechanics laboratories and a research space. Updated and air-conditioned facilities will also boost the University's capacity for holding graduations and examinations on campus.
Julia Gillard and Kirsten Livermore with the senior executive team 
The Deputy PM with Kirsten Livermore, who pledged to continue supporting CQUniversity in Canberra 
Accepting a gift from the University