JCU's Bid to Triple Student Numbers

James Cook University has revealed plans to triple the size of its Cairns campus to 10,000 students in 15 years after record high enrolments.

Business leaders have welcomed the goal and said the university will be a major driver for the region’s economy and will help retain and attract professionals. The University’s value to the Cairns economy is already $86 million.

About $100 million worth of investment was on the way or soon to start, with designs for the $25 million signature Cairns Institute building to be shortlisted soon.
Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Jeremy Blockey said the university had come “an awful long way” and further expansion would fuel jobs such as in construction for accommodation.

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Investor Optimism Growing

An increase in university enrolments and speculation over Cairns' role in the Papua New Guinean gas project is fuelling new optimism in the housing market.

While the Real Estate Institute of Queensland's March 2010 quarter report showed the median house price in Cairns fell by 0.7 per cent to $370,000, there was cause for optimism, REIQ Cairns chairman Rick Szelpuk said.

"A lot of people will move to Cairns looking to rent property initially. Also, with the Australian dollar getting more realistic, it allows opportunity for tourists to visit and Cairns can benefit from this."

Mr Szelpuk said the 30 per cent increase in mid-year enrolments at James Cook University was another positive sign. He said it was a good time for investors to buy property to rent out to university students.

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Peter Musso - Ray White Cairns Beaches - Property agent selling real estate in Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove, Trinity Park, Smithfield, Yorkeys Knob, Holloways Beach, Machans Beach