THE push for a university in Tamworth is progressing, despite government restrictions implemented in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Tamworth University Reference Group chairman Mitch Hanlon said plans were going "full steam ahead" as the group began to narrow down on its proposal.
"We have weekly catch ups with the University of New England (UNE) and have recently briefed Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson," Mr Hanlon told the Leader.
"There is a concept plan that's behind closed doors at the moment, but the consultancy UNE has engaged is now working out numbers.
"I've asked them to start pulling together an information pack that once we're ready to talk to the community, we will have all the information we need.
"We're down into the nitty-gritty, because we don't want to go to the public until we find out how many people would be attending these courses.
"We know what type of sectors and where the courses will be running, it's just working out what's viable."
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The state government's recent promotion of free online TAFE courses has left Mr Hanlon confident there is a hunger for higher education in the Tamworth region.
"I believe there is a great desire for more higher education in Tamworth and TAFE is key to that," he said.
"The way its going is towards knowledge-based learning and this needs to work in with industry.
"At our meetings, I keep pushing the fact that this will not be a traditional university, this will be highly engaged with industry and in turn will offer something completely unique to NSW.
"A lot of the people we have engaged with want to see traditional learning, but we also need to have an ear to how we can service the industries and what the jobs of the future will be."
Mr Hanlon said the group would now be focusing on making the project's business case "rock solid" to ensure it does get across the line.
"There's money out there if you can come out with a decent idea that's going to be a positive thing for the community," he said.
"That's why the business case has to be rock solid and I don't mind hastening slowly to make sure it is rock solid so we can access that kind of funding.
"If it's a good enough business case, the money is there you just have to justify the investment.
"We're getting close, that's for sure."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
