History and growth
Located in one of the country's fastest growing regions, the University of the Sunshine Coast campus at Sippy Downs has grown to accommodate more than 5,000 students.
Since its establishment, the University has focused on community engagement, campus development, innovative programs and a personalised approach to learning.
Establishment
The Sunshine Coast University College was founded in 1994, with the first students starting at the Sippy Downs campus in 1996. Full university status was granted to the new institution in 1998 and it became the University of the Sunshine Coast. On opening, USC became the first greenfield university in Australia since 1971.
The University was founded to serve the needs of the wider Sunshine Coast community, one of Australia's fastest growing regions. Representatives of the Sunshine Coast region had long lobbied for a university to be established in the area, recognising a need to provide local residents access to tertiary education.
It was also recognised that the establishment of a university would provide unprecedented economic benefits to the region.
The first discussions for a university in the region began in 1973, but it wasn't until 1989 that the Commonwealth government approved the establishment of a university. In 1992 A$9.5 million was allocated to develop the Sunshine Coast campus.
A 100-hectare site at Sippy Downs was selected for the new university. A former cane farm, the site was chosen because it lay at the geographical heart of the Sunshine Coast and its shires, and was accessible from the Bruce Highway and other major transport routes.
On 1 July 1994 Queensland Parliament passed The Sunshine Coast University College Act, 1994 , creating Queensland's seventh public university.
The first sod was turned on site on 4 September 1994 with construction commencing soon after. Stage I was completed well before the University's first day of business - 26 February 1996, when 524 new students were welcomed onto campus.
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Campus growth
Continual campus developments ensure that the University's buildings and facilities grow with increasing student and staff numbers. Campus development is guided by the University's campus master plan.
In 2007, the University became a part of plans for a knowledge precinct. The indoor sports stadium and Health and Sport Centre are new stages of the USC Sport Precinct.
Also complete is the Innovation Centre Business Accelerator, designed to accommodate graduating companies from the business incubator. A technology park, supported by local government, is planned to sit adjacent to the campus.
The area surrounding the University of the Sunshine Coast campus is set to expand in coming years with plans for both a sport and health hub and a knowledge precinct.
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University surrounds
Knowledge Precinct
In 2005, an agreement to develop a knowledge precinct on land adjacent to the USC campus was formally announced. The University, along with Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Education Queensland, continue to work together to generate the precinct, which it is hoped will help develop new employment opportunities for Sunshine Coast residents.
USC Sport Precinct
There is further development of the existing sports facilities located at the University, adding another dimension to the existing sports fields, outdoor tennis and basketball courts, and the internationally approved athletics track.
The University's A$10 million indoor sports stadium was officially opened in July 2007, and is used for University, school and community sporting events.
The national standard facility includes:
- 3 netball, basketball and volleyball courts
- 4 badminton courts
- 1 international-sized futsal court
- timber sports thrust floor
- 6 large toilet/changeroom areas
- tiered spectator seating
- a total floor size of 3,705 square metres
The Sport Precinct also includes the Health and Sport Centre, opened on 26 July 2008.
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