Live updates from tonight's community meeting are at the bottom of the story, but here's a quick snapshot to get you up to date:

In July last year, the University of New England revealed its plans for a 500-person campus.

Education advocate Mitch Hanlon pushed to make it an election issue and all the candidates agreed there was a need for it.

UNE said course design was already underway, with the Tamworth campus to offer agriculture, nursing, education, law and business.

The Deputy Prime Minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce are both working on getting federal funding.

Tamworth Regional Council is prepared to donated the $3 million velodrome site on Peel Street if the project is funded.

The state government and UNE are both prepared to commit major funding, however are waiting on a commitment from the federal government.