Curtin University has received $20 million funding from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program, to rebuild and expand Curtin’s WA School of Mines’ student accommodation in Kalgoorlie.
The Royalties for Regions funding contributes to a $30 million investment that will expand the number of student housing places in Kalgoorlie from 135 to over 230.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the extra accommodation will provide more options to both Curtin and Goldfields Institute of Technology students and will help boost the number of students studying at the Kalgoorlie Campus.
“The improvements at Agricola College are part of our ongoing commitment to the WA School of Mines and, more broadly, to research and education for the mining sector,” Professor Terry said.
“Rather than being housed in dormitory style buildings, students will have their own rooms and share lounge, bathroom and kitchen facilities with five others.
“There are exciting times ahead for students who choose to study in a location where industry meets education, and I look forward to seeing this campus continue to enhance the Curtin experience for our students.”
The $30 million project will comprise a new 180-bed facility and the refurbishment of an existing 45-bed facility at Agricola College.
Professor Terry said the tender process for the Agricola College rebuild will proceed shortly, with construction expected to begin in early 2015 and be completed two years later.
She said the accommodation adds to the other new infrastructure and equipment projects being undertaken on the Kalgoorlie Campus, including the new library, which was recently launched.
Curtin’s WA School of Mines Kalgoorlie Campus Library is designed to meet the needs of the academic community with print and electronic resources, modern technology and a variety of learning space. It contains the same academic resources as the University’s Bentley Campus library, closely linking the campuses despite the 600km between them.
