Ease the squeeze: UQ opts to build more student residences on campus
The University of Queensland has opted to tackle Brisbane’s acute rental crisis by building another big student accommodation complex on its St Lucia campus.
The proposed student building is likely to include ensuites and air conditioning in all rooms and central cooking facilities on each floor. (Supplied image)
The new building, planned to open in 2026, would double the UQ-owned onsite student accommodation and follows hard on the heels of the 610-room Kev Carmody House which opened at full occupancy last year.
UQ vice-chancellor Deborah Terry said the planned project was in response to a feasibility study showing demand for student accommodation would continue to grow.
“Vacancy rates for rental accommodation in Brisbane are at record low levels and the supply of purpose-built student accommodation has slowed in recent years,” Terry said.
“This project would complement existing UQ-owned accommodation and our residential colleges while hopefully taking some pressure off the rental market in our surrounding area.”
The university is assessing several design options but the complex is likely to comprise three buildings between five and nine stories on Walcott St, west of the campus.
“The University is committed to making study here more accessible for students from rural and regional areas and those from a low-socio economic background and this project will help us to deliver on that,” Terry said.
“We also need to accommodate our students who leave their families behind to join us from overseas.”
Vacancy rtes in Brisbane have eased from a low of 0.6 per cent last year but are still described as critical by industry figures..
