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·¬ÇÑÉçÇø will invest $40m to develop the 300-bed accommodation on its Smithfield campus.

The seven storey, 9,450m² complex will offer a mix of accommodation options including studio apartments with ensuite bathrooms.

The development will also include a ground floor retail space, which could include a coffee shop.

There are plans to expand the accommodation to 1000 beds over the longer term.

·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s Chancellor, Bill Tweddell said the announcement is great news for the city, and the accommodation will help grow ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s Cairns campus.

“We are delighted to be announcing the construction of accommodation on the Cairns campus. We know that on-campus accommodation is essential for the growth of our campus.”

·¬ÇÑÉçÇø Vice Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding said the accommodation will provide a tremendous boost to ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s expansion in Cairns.

“The Cairns campus has been growing and on-campus accommodation will make it an even more attractive destination for students. It will also provide a significant boost to the local economy.”

The accommodation will offer residential support and pastoral care, a wide range of social events and programs, a safe living environment, amenities including residential parking, ‘end of ride’ cycling facilities, gym, kitchen and laundry facilities, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

·¬ÇÑÉçÇø Deputy Vice Chancellor Global Strategy & Engagement and Head of the Cairns Campus, Professor Robyn McGuiggan said the accommodation would help ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø attract more regional, interstate and international students.

“Having on-campus accommodation is highly attractive to students, especially those from countries such as China and the United States, where it is normal for students to live on campus,” she said.

The Chairman of Advance Cairns, Trent Twomey said the construction of on-campus accommodation at the Smithfield campus is a key priority for the city.

“·¬ÇÑÉçÇø is planning exciting projects for the campus, such as the Cairns Innovation Centre, and on-campus accommodation is an integral part of the continued growth of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø in Cairns.

“This will enable our regional students to live on campus and receive a full service university experience without having to travel south,” Mr Twomey said.

Work has commenced at the site with the accommodation planned to be available to students from first semester, 2018.

It is expected that a total of 400 jobs will be created throughout the project and that at peak periods during construction, a maximum of 180 workers will be on site at any one time.

The accommodation is being designed by Wilson Architects and built by ADCO Constructions.

The project will also have a high degree of local participation. ADCO's Local Industry Participation charter mandates that a majority of subcontractors be locally sourced.

This not only provides ADCO with local knowledge and experience on its projects but also provides significant economic stimulus to the community.

An artist’s impression of the project is available at the following link: