Support for more student accommodation to relieve pressure on housing market

• UQ to deliver new 1,000-bed student accommodation complex at St Lucia with support from Miles Labor Government
• Project will boost suitable and more affordable rental options for students
• Additional apartments will reduce rental pressures in surrounding suburbs

Construction will shortly commence on a new 1,000-bed student accommodation complex at The University of Queensland’s (UQ) St Lucia campus, thanks to support from the Miles Labor Government.

The project will create more affordable rental options for students and provide much needed relief to the local housing market.

The $285 million development in Walcott Street will be made up of 3 buildings of 6 to 10 storeys, with a diverse mix of spaces for use by students including self-contained apartments.

The new student residence complex will add to the existing purpose-built student accommodation options already available on campus, enabling UQ to offer students suitable and value-for-money accommodation options.

It also reduces the need for students to commute long distances to attend classes.

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

The complex is expected to open Semester 2 in 2027.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment:

“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.

“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.

“I look forward to this new students accommodation being as popular as the nearby 610-bed Kev Carmody House, which has remained at 100 per cent occupancy since it opened.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Education, Di Farmer: 

“We are committed to providing the best learning environments for our young people, and to supporting them as they go on to further learning after school finishing high school.”

“This is a great example of how we are helping Queenslanders access education and we welcome this second student residence complex at St Lucia which will provide a secure and welcoming environment for university students.

“Universities have an important role in many people’s education, and this new purpose-built site will provide much needed additional student accommodation for the UQ community.”

Quotes attributable to the University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry AC:

“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.

“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.

“We appreciate the confidence shown in the sector as we strive to provide the best possible student experience now and into the future.”

Images of the new accommodation can be found here 

ENDS

Media contact: Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875