Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced the University of Newcastle's proposed Honeysuckle campus will be one of 24 state-significant projects to be fast-tracked to boost the NSW economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The projects have been identified in the first tranche of capital works programs which will undergo a faster assessment process in a bid to get them shovel-ready for construction to begin.
The government says the 24 projects have the potential to create almost 9,500 jobs during construction and inject $7.54 billion into the state's economy once complete.
A wide range of projects have been identified in this first wave of construction stimulus, including 325,000 square metres of new public open space and 4,400 new homes including more than 1,000 social and affordable homes.
Planning approval of the University of Newcastle's Honeysuckle Campus Stage 1A project worth almost $25 million dollars will also be fast-tracked. The project, which will see a 3 storey glass-encased building constructed, will be home to a new Innovation Hub and the School of Creative Industries. It's due for completion by mid next year, but it's not known at this stage how much sooner the building will be finished.
Joining the Premier and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet for today's announcement, Planning Minister Rob Stokes said just because the planning process was being sped up, it doesn't mean shortcuts will be taken in the assessment process.
"It's important to note that this is not a greenlighting exercise, the same stringent checks, balances and community consultation that ensures transparency, public benefit and merit-based assessment of projects will remain," he said.
Typically, projects which deliver a public benefit, demonstratre an ability to create jobs during construction and be able to commence construction within six months have been considered for the fast-tracking process.
