University of New England vice-chancellor Brigid Heywood told media this week that the university does not plan to build its own library.

Instead UNE plans to either upgrade the Peel Street library to a university standard or build a new one and offer the greater range of service to residents.

"There will not be a UNE library here, there will be a community library, in which we are a partner," she said.

"A first, again, in Australia".

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Ms Heywood told a public meeting this week that the project has almost overcome a funding dispute between federal and state governments, paving the way for construction to begin next year.

She revealed the project was now likely to cost an eye-popping $60 million.

The university has been in contact with Transport for NSW in an attempt to change rail timetables and upgrade internet access to make the rail service a better platform for education.

"We've been talking to a variety of people about the opportunities to be gained from thinking about improving the rail network between Armidale and Tamworth, and changing the timetable to be more business appropriate and study appropriate," she said.

"So we could have classroom trucks on the train - they could study on the train. And have it as part of a mobile classroom, part of an integrated mobile classroom."

The university is also planning to start advertising for PhD graduates as part of a plan to offer locals the opportunity to conduct high-level research.

Master planning for the new university is set to begin very soon, with a final design to be completed as early as November. The new UNE institution should be completed by 2023.

Ms Heywood flagged they were unlikely to use the mooted velodrome site for education facilities.

Instead, she said the land gifted from Tamworth Regional Council could be used for student accommodation, retail spaces or a study centre.

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