Premier Colin Barnett, Planning Minister Donna Faragher and Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry.
Camera IconPremier Colin Barnett, Planning Minister Donna Faragher and Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Curtin University a step closer to Midland campus

Justin BianchiniMidland Kalamunda Reporter

CURTIN University’s Midland Campus is a step closer.

The university today signed a certificate to secure the arrangements between key stakeholders involved in the development of the campus.

Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry joined Premier Colin Barnett and ministers Donna Faragher and John Day for the onsite signing.

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The soon-to-be-built Midland campus will be a clinical base for Curtin Medical School students in their fourth and fifth year, and will be used by Curtin Allied Health Schools including nursing, physiotherapy and pharmacy.

Professor Terry said the campus would provide students, community and industry partners with a much-needed educational facility in Midland.

“The vibrant new campus will be an important base from which Curtin can provide greater access to higher education in the Midland region,” she said.

“It is also anticipated that the facilities will be used by local partners such as the new St John of God Midland Public Hospital and that other local health or education partnership opportunities arise.”

The Premier welcomed Curtin’s commitment and said a university presence in Midland was in high demand and long overdue for Perth’s growing eastern metropolitan region to ensure local education and job opportunities.

“Curtin’s Midland campus will cement Midland’s status as a knowledge and health precinct, helping to attract new investment, and provide much needed tertiary options for the east metropolitan region,” Mr Barnett said.

“A deliberate strategy to invest in education and health facilities in Midland is creating unprecedented employment, education and health-care opportunities for local residents.”

Curtin properties, facilities and development director Andy Sharp said the new facility would complement its heritage surrounds.

“The Curtin Midland campus design concept is derived from the rich indigenous and industrial context of the Midland area, with its brick structure reflecting the craftsmanship of the adjacent Midland Rail Workshops,” he said.

“The landscape will provide a variety of public open spaces including an indigenous yarning space and public art to acknowledge the cultural history of the area.”

Building is expected to start next year, with the campus opening in 2019.

Curtin’s new five-year, full-time undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery will start in 2017 with an intake of 60 domestic students per annum, increasing to 110 per year by 2022.