Growth strategy
Overview
The Sunshine Coast is experiencing considerable population growth through all age groups; it is expected that this trend will continue. This Master Plan addresses these changing circumstances in its provision for gradual building growth, together with a campus identity apparent from the most preliminary stages.
The campus development is broadly divided into 9 sections, called ‘Phases'. Each of these phases allow for a population growth of between 1 and 3 thousand students. Each nominates a portion of the overall allocated buildable land, with the quantity varying, sometimes considerably, between each phase.
The growth context
With the completion of the land development to the south and east of the University, and the Mooloolah River National Park to the east, it is the development of the Sippy Downs Town Centre to the north that will see the greatest change in the campus context in the next 20 years. The overarching principle of the campus growth strategy is to continue the march of campus building sites to the Lake and the Promenade, leaving development on what will become the urban fringe to take a natural course.
Completed Buildings:
Growth strategy
Phase 1
The first phase of development shows two buildings already in planning stage: the building in the Sports Precinct and the expansion of Building H. It also shows the construction of the first multi-deck parking station to the south-west of Building K. Not shown, but anticipated in this phase, is the construction of the bus interchange.
Obviously the construction of the multi-deck parking station will be controversial. However, a strategy of progressively moving a greater proportion of the faculty and staff to public transport as well as (eventually) paid parking requires that the infrastructure be in place first. The University now provides almost all of the surface parking anticipated in the original 1994 Master Plan, and unless the whole of the campus is to be given over to surface parking, the only remaining alternative is parking structures. This topic is covered in greater detail under Circulation Strategies.
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Phase 2
This phase sees the continued development of the central spine with the construction of Building E opposite building H, together with a second multi-deck parking station conceived as a joint venture between the developers of Town Centre Lot 1 and the University.
This phase is also the first opportunity to construct the glass roof between Buildings E and H, which will provide the all-weather connection between opposite sides of the Central Spine. It is unlikely that this significant development will occur at this time simply because it is unlikely that funds can be obtained in time. Nevertheless, it is shown here for convenience, and to ensure that it is not forgotten.
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Phase 3
This phase sees the further development of the Sports Precinct and the construction of the first building on the Lake Frontage (Building G). At this stage, with the exception of the buildings of significance at the north-western end, the southern side of the Central Spine is now complete.
Building G has such a prominent position that it is important that it is an important facility that can be given expression. Accordingly it may be that accommodation needs dictate that a different site be filled at this time; the Master Plan is flexible in this regard.
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Phase 4
This phase sees the development of the last building (excluding the buildings of significance) to front the Central Spine, on the northern side (Building F). Like Building G opposite, the site is most appropriate for a facility that allows architectural expression as well as the ethos of the University of the Sunshine Coast, and if the facility requirement at this time is actually for an air-conditioned bland box, then another, less prominent, site should be chosen for development.
Also shown at this time are two buildings to the rear of the Town Centre frontage, responding to what is anticipated to be the rapid urbanisation of the Town Centre. As these sites are seen as opportunities for facilities attracting funding from other parties, the development here will actually depend on the rate of Town Centre growth rather than the growth of the University campus.
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Phase 5
This phase sees the development of the formal edge to the lake, complete with pier. It also sees the construction of a third multi-deck parking station and it is anticipated that at this time all surface parking will be converted to short-term pay parking.
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Phase 6
This phase sees the completion of the Sports Precinct and two new buildings on the Lake Frontage, which is now substantially complete.
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Phase 7
This phase sees the completion of the buildings along the Town Centre frontage. The exact timing of this development depends more on the growth of the Town Centre than the growth of the University.
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Phase 8
Three infill buildings are proposed for this phase, occupying much of the remaining surface parking. These buildings, in the secondary building zone, are expected to be much larger and higher than the other buildings completed to date. With the exception of the buildings of significance the campus is now complete, housing 15,000 students.
It should be noted that some potential building sites remain which have not been identified, as they are not needed to achieve growth to 15,000 students. For example, three surface car parks and the land behind Building D could be developed. Beyond that, however, the only way left to go would be up; as that would be contrary to the Goals stated in this Master Plan, growth to that extent has not been planned for this campus.
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Phase 9
Strictly this is not a phase as such, at least not in the sense of proceeding sequentially from Phase 8. Building A and Building L are the designated sites for significant buildings (such as a Great Hall), and this development may occur at any time that there is a need matched by funding. This development is shown last (at Phase 9) because it may not occur within the lifetime of this Master Plan.
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