Growth Through Learning

The pursuit of improvements to Eduction is not a new issue for the Central Coast; in fact from 2004 to 2006, Gosford City Council conducted an extensive community consultation process called "Vision 2025". A university in Gosford City Centre was a cornerstone of the community's vision for its future.

Again in 2009, as part of the Gosford City Centre Masterplanning process, the community identified the need for a university in Gosford, the region’s capital.

CCRDC has established an education committee to make education a key driver for economic growth and vitality within the Central Coast Region. This committee is responding to the information from the Gosford City Centre Masterplan.

The Committee:

Chair - Ken Jolly AO

Deputy Chair - Jan McClelland

Professor Denise Bradley

Professor Terry Lovat

Doctor Gregor Ramsey

John Tiltson

In order for the Central Coast to deliver growth through learning, the Committee is investigating opportunities to establish a university campus in the Gosford City Centre.

The Committee has established that a University in Gosford City Centre would improve the vibrancy of both the regional city, and the regional economy. A summary of studies of the economic impact of regional universities concluded that:

"There are few if any government activities that would be able to better universtitees in delivering a positive impact to a regional economy".

There is a strong case that the region and city will benefit. The next step was to determine if there was a business case for a University itself. The Allen Consulting Group has been engaged to investigate the feasibility of a CBD campus. Here is an extract from their draft report.

However there is a strong case for extension of higher education provision on the Central Coast to at least bring participation levels into line with the Sydney SD. There are other factors which encourage the pursuit of expanded higher education provision such a

the potential for strong increase in higher education enrolment if State and Commonwealth attainment targets are vigorously pursued;
changes to the Central Coast’s industry and occupation profile over time to reflect Sydney SD will have demand effects for higher education; and
improved transport and accessibility to the Central Coast may support more than one location for higher education provision.

These factors indicate potential demand for a viable campus based in the Gosford CBD. This is particularly so for a campus which is highly focussed on professional and technical occupations related to the CBD and Gosford as a commuter and transport hub.

Armed with this information during 2012 the committee will actively pursue a University with the capacity to establish a campus in Gosford.

Source: [1] Centre for International Economics Canberra & Sydney 1997, Assessing the economic contribution of regional universities, prepared for Review of Higher Education Financing and Policy. P35.