The doors have opened to Edith Cowan
University's (ECU) new City campus, marking an historic milestone for Perth's
first comprehensive inner-city university and a new era in education.
The purpose-built facilities are designed to
connect students with industry, culture, and community in a modern, city-based
university experience.
With thousands of students arriving for the
first time this month, the new facility will be filled with learning and
creativity.
Jointly funded by the Albanese
Government, the Cook Government and ECU,
the world-class 11-super-level creative industries, business, and technology
campus is set to transform Perth's educational, cultural, and social
connections.
The campus features state-of-the-art teaching, specialist
business, law, creative arts, and technology spaces, screen and media
production facilities, as well as extensive student support and wellbeing
services.
Eight public performance venues will also be home
to more than 300 performances per year.
The main foyer hosts one of the Southern
Hemisphere's largest indoor LED displays, featuring a curated program of
dynamic and immersive digital content.
Together with its distinctive media architecture
façade spanning two sides of the building, ECU City will transform into a
creative canvas for students, staff, and the public to enjoy year-round.
With around 8,500 students and staff to be based
at ECU City from semester one, local businesses are already preparing for the
daily influx of students, staff, and visitors to the Perth CBD along with the expected
boost to the local economy.
From its location opposite Yagan Square, the
campus places students within easy reach of the city's growing public transport
network, including the Perth Busport directly beneath the campus and the train station a short walk away.
The campus is the new home of the Western
Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), incorporating the Minderoo
Centre for Performance Excellence.
WAAPA joins the School of Business and Law,
creative humanities programs from the School of Arts and Humanities, including
the WA Screen and Media Academy, technology and cyber security programs from
the School of Science, and Kurongkurl Katitjin - the University's Centre for
Indigenous Australian Education and Research.
Quotes attributed to WA Premier Roger Cook:
"Supporting
higher education is key to my vision for keeping Western Australia's economy
the strongest in the nation.
"That's
why we are proud to have invested nearly $200 million in ECU's new City campus.
"This
generational development will do more than just make skilling, upskilling, and
reskilling more accessible to the people of WA.
"It
will help bring together Northbridge and Perth's CBD with our growing public
transport network at its core, helping to foster a vibrant and creative economy
in the heart of our city.
"My
government is proud to have worked alongside the Albanese Government to deliver
this project, which will ensure Perth stays the best place in the world to
live, raise a family, and get a quality job."
Quotes
attributed to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local
Government Minister Catherine King:
"With classes starting, thousands of students will
head to the Perth CBD every day creating new economic, educational, and social
opportunities.
"This once-in-a-generation project will transform
the heart of the Perth and we are very proud to support it and the future of
this great city."
Quotes attributed to WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"ECU City campus is already breathing new life
into our CBD, providing world-class learning opportunities for students and
creating a thriving inner-city hub.
"Thousands of students and staff will be
travelling to the campus every day, transforming the vibrancy of our city
centre and delivering lasting benefits for nearby businesses.
"It is also one of the most accessible university
campuses in the country, located above the Perth Busport and a short walk from
Perth's METRONET public transport network.
"This incredible facility is part of our government's
commitment to creating a modern, connected city and delivering infrastructure
that services our State for generations to come."
Quotes attributed to Federal Education Minister
Jason Clare:
"You can't miss it. This building is a new
landmark for Perth and a new engine of opportunity.
"Thousands of students will build their futures
right here every year."
Quotes attributed to WA Planning and Lands
Minister John Carey:
"The
ECU City campus is a game-changer for the inner-city, bringing thousands of
staff and students to the heart of Perth every day.
"This
means more vibrancy in the CBD and Northbridge, and increased foot traffic for
local businesses.
"This
new campus has also fuelled a boom in student accommodation, ensuring more
people live in the city."
Quotes
attributed to WA Tertiary and International Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Students
will immediately benefit from learning in this outstanding new facility in
Perth's CBD.
"Western
Australia will also reap the rewards from having this world-class
institution that is geared towards nurturing talent and developing skills that
help the broader community.
"Congratulations to
everyone involved for aiming high and creating a facility of which all West
Australians can be proud."
Quotes
attributed to Federal Member for Perth Patrick Gorman:
"This is not just an asset for Perth, it is an
education asset for all of Australia.
"ECU City will be a magnet for students and
visitors who value education, culture, art, and community, injecting our city
with fresh vibrancy.
"The campus will put Perth on the map for
education and culture, bringing the best and brightest to our State and
delivering national results for our community."
Quotes attributed to Edith Cowan University Vice-Chancellor
Professor Clare Pollock:
"This is an historic moment not only for ECU,
but for Perth and Western Australia.
"Perth has joined the ranks of the greatest
cities in the world with the first comprehensive, inner-city university campus.
"From the talented creative arts students to the
business, law, performance, and technology graduates - this campus is built for
you to learn, engage, and create as you embark on your future careers.
"This is a campus that will enrich the student
experience and the very city itself. It's a place of possibility and discovery.
"As teaching begins, we can't wait to share this
incredible campus with our students and our community.
"ECU City campus is a place of connection. It
brings students, industry, culture, and community together in the heart of our
city, creating exciting opportunities to learn from one another and to shape
the future side by side."
