USQ Wide Bay expands with funding boost

The Minister for Education Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, has approved an allocation of $2 million for a new Stage 3 building at the USQ Wide Bay Campus from the Government’s Capital Development Pool in 2007.

The 1500m2 Stage 3 building at USQ Wide Bay will provide additional teaching space, staff accommodation, postgraduate student space, an area for student support services  (health, counselling, welfare, housing, career guidance, religious observance) a bookshop and a refectory.

USQ Vice Chancellor, Professor Bill Lovegrove, said while USQ did not receive the full amount requested in its funding proposal he was delighted that with this guarantee from the Capital Development Pool for 2007 USQ would be able to commence the construction of the building in June 2006.

“This development is of the utmost importance to USQ Wide Bay to enable it to cope with the high level of demand and the associated growth in enrolments at the campus,” Professor Lovegrove said.

"USQ has made major inroads in improving the traditionally low higher education participation rate by residents of the Wide Bay region but the demand so far has almost outstripped the University’s capacity to provide teaching and administration buildings.”

Professor Lovegrove acknowledged the on-going support of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and MHR fro Wide Bay, Warren Truss and the Minister for Industry Tourism and Resources and MHR for Groom , Ian Macfarlane for their continued support of USQ.

“Congratulations also go to all at USQ Wide Bay and Toowoomba who had a part in preparing the funding proposal to the Government.”

Gus Snow-McLean +61 7 4631 2977