Tamworth UNE campus: state government won't sign off on UNE deed this year

Construction is due to start on the project next year.

But the state government and university still locked in negotiations over the terms of its funding deed.

A spokesperson for the Department of Regional NSW said the parties are working "constructively" to finalise the terms of the funding deed, "which is expected to be executed in early 2022."

UNE reference group chair Mitch Hanlon said he'd been told the deed was to be signed off in December, and it was another frustrating delay to the project.

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He hasn't seen the deed and said the design of the campus remains secret, even from the reference group.

"I don't know how many students, I don't know how many floors. I haven't seen any of that detail... I don't think even council knows what it's going to look like," he said.

The minutes of the December meeting of the group claim that the deed is with the state government.

"Infrastructure NSW are reviewing the building and project scope," the minutes claim.

"Regional NSW are reviewing student numbers, course offerings and capacity. Once this is finalised, UNE will execute the document and return to treasury for signing...

"The project is on track."

The minutes also show the velodrome site is the main location under consideration for the university.

The state government will spend $26.6 million to fund the project, with the Commonwealth spending $10 million.

The campus is expected to cost about $60 million, thanks to advanced new robotics education and research facilities, with the balance funded by the university itself.

The university has yet to release or announce plans for the new campus, including its site.

Vice-Chancellor Brigid Heywood told the Leader in May that construction work would begin on the project within "12 months" or "not much longer than that".

In October, the Commonwealth joined the state government in committing to fund the scheme. The state government's 2019 $26.6 million commitment to the project - came on condition of direct federal government support.

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