Qld govt backs UQ student housing

QUEENSLAND’S Miles government is supporting the delivery of a 1,000-bed student accommodation complex at The University of Queensland, in an effort to reduce pressure on the overwhelmed housing market.

The University of Queensland’s (UQ) St Lucia will deliver the new $285 million 1,000-bed student accommodation complex on Walcott Street, which will comprise three buildings ranging from six to 10-storeys.

The buildings will include a mix of spaces for students including self-contained apartments and will add to the existing purpose-built student accommodation options already available on campus.

“The project will complement the range of options already available through UQ-owned accommodation and the 10 affiliated residential colleges, taking the number of on-campus places to more than 4,500,” said Deborah Terry, vice chancellor at UQ.

“Increasing this pool of suitable accommodation is particularly important for those commencing students who are joining us from regional and remote areas of Queensland, as well as those from overseas.”

All rooms will have ensuites and air conditioning, with access to central cooking, a pool, gym and yoga facilities, game and music rooms, landscaped outdoor areas and 24/7 concierge.

“Our Government is committed to doing pulling every available policy lever when it comes to making it fairer and more affordable to find a place to live,” said Cameron Dick, deputy premier, treasurer and minister for trade and investment.

“That’s why I wrote to University Vice Chancellors last year, advising them our Government stood ready to support additional borrowings they may make to fund the construction of new student housing.”

“I’m pleased to see the University of Queensland take up that offer through a Queensland Treasury Corporation loan to expedite delivery of this project.”

In the student accommodation market, Scape just opened the first of its $1 billion five building precinct in Sydney, Plus Architecture has lodged plan for a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Petrie, north of Brisbane in Moreton Bay.

While the federal government recently announced a 270,000 limit to international students in 2025 with a cap on each university, which was met with mixed industry reactions.

With he 2024-25 Budget identified the international education sector as a national asset but noted enrolments have not been met with an adequate increase in student housing.

The complex at UQ St Lucia is expected to open Semester 2 in 2027.