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Two Charles Darwin University (CDU) students are laying the foundations of their careers in engineering, while also helping to build the University’s future.

CDU’s Education and Community Precinct will be the home of future students, and right now Master of Engineering students Kevin Gondaliya and Allen Glo are helping to build it.

In his final year, Mr Glo has taken his knowledge of civil and structural engineering to the next level by interning with Darwin-based construction company Halikos Group.

“My education in civil and structural engineering from CDU is coming to life,” Mr Glo said.

“This has been an invaluable hands-on experience. What I have learnt about structural integrity and materials science is being applied to a real-world project, right here in Darwin. I’m very grateful that God has blessed me with organisations like Halikos and CDU to help kickstart my career.”

Also known by the Larrakia name Danala, the city campus is currently being fitted out with walls and ceilings progressing internally, the external façade and roofing works continue to make visible progress, and external landscaping and public realm works have also commenced.

Mr Glo said he initially thought of going into engineering design, but his involvement in the project has broadened his interests in project management and construction.

“One of my goals in life is to be able to point at a building and say that I played a part in its construction – the fact that my first project is CDU’s new campus is already a great achievement.”

Specialising in mechanical engineering, Mr Gondaliya is in his second year of study and has been interning for the past three months with infrastructure consultancy Capital Insight, who have been advising CDU as Project Director and Project Manager since commencement of the planning phase.

“I’ve never worked in construction before so I’ve learnt something new every day, whether it’s how to do a site observation or progress report, manage competing priorities, or work with a team,” Mr Gondaliya said.

“The support of my mentors has allowed me to sharpen my skills in mechanical engineering and gain a better understanding of project planning, including safety and quality assurance. I’m thankful to CDU and Capital Insight for giving me this golden opportunity.”

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the city campus will revitalise Darwin’s education potential in Northern Australia and beyond.

“Giving students like Kevin and Allen the opportunity to be involved in such a major project for the Northern Territory is setting them up for success even before they graduate,” Professor Bowman said.

“This campus is our commitment to ensuring academics, students and the Darwin community reap the benefits of having a modern, high-quality tertiary education facility right on their doorstep.

“With construction rapidly progressing before the start of the wet season, we are already looking forward to opening the doors for semester two next year.”

New drone footage has revealed a sweeping bird’s eye view as construction of Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) CBD campus, the Education and Community Precinct, climbs higher in the Darwin skyline.

The aerial photo was taken by builder Halikos as they surveyed the site and offers a sky-high perspective, as works progress.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the city campus was already making a mark in the Darwin CBD, and once complete it will offer many educational, economic and community-centred benefits to Darwin and the Northern Territory.

“The precinct is hard to miss when you’re driving down Cavenagh street in the Darwin CBD, and soon it will be a drawcard not only for Territorians, but for people coming from interstate and overseas for a unique education,” Professor Bowman said.

“As a gateway into the city, this new campus will make the statement that Darwin is the leading location for higher education and scientific research in Northern Australia.”

Last month, 606 cubic metres of concrete were poured, across level six. High level services installation, which includes hydraulics, mechanical ductwork, fire services, electrical and communications are also progressing well up the structure.

Structural top out of the building is expected to be complete in the next month.

“The new campus will support our students and academics with state-of-the-art facilities to enhance education, and will ensure NT businesses have the skilled workforce they need now and into the future,” Professor Bowman said.

“We are looking forward to a great Topping Out ceremony, celebrating the completion of the superstructure in the Dry Season.”

‘Topping out’ traditionally refers to the completion of the structural phase of a construction project, and it typically involves the installation of the final piece of major structure, as well as the planting of a tree.

The Precinct, which is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal – the partnership between the Australian and Northern Territory governments to invest in transformational projects – will be a noteworthy driver of economic, social and cultural opportunities for Darwin, and the whole of Northern Australia.

Once complete in 2024, the modern city campus will provide innovative teaching and learning spaces for CDU, a new purpose-built home for the Northern Territory Library, and vibrant community spaces to make Darwin a more liveable and thriving city.

Territorians are celebrating the rapid developments taking place on the Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) city campus build – the largest construction project underway in Darwin’s CBD, and one that will transform the city for decades to come.

At an event held today, CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman joined the Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling MP and Northern Territory Minister for Business, Jobs and Training Paul Kirby to survey progress on the $250 million Education and Community Precinct.

More than 8,216m³ of concrete and 86,450 hours of on-site labour have gone into the build across the project’s lifetime so far, with four floors now complete.

Concrete slabs have been poured for both basements and the first two levels, with formwork including lift cores and stairwells progressing to level three and scaffolding reaching level four. Both tower cranes and the concrete tower pump are now in operation.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the Education and Community Precinct was the largest construction project in Darwin that was supporting jobs and the Territory’s economy. 

“This project has come a long way in a short period of time, we’re thrilled with how rapidly the project team are progressing works on site,” Professor Bowman said.

“The entire CDU community cannot wait to move into the building, which we know will be a major drawcard for international students, but also a vibrant community hub for the people of the Territory that will make our city an education city and more liveable.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the CDU Campus and new Education and Community Precinct will transform Darwin – bringing students, visitors, academics and workers alike.

“Already well positioned as the gateway to Asia, this project will turn Darwin into an educational and economic powerhouse on the international stage, a place to build networks, collaborate and connect – a sophisticated cultural centre and a thriving world city for the benefit of locals and the national economy alike,” Minister King said.

NT Minister for Business, Jobs and Training Paul Kirby said the construction of the precinct would support the development and liveability of Darwin as the capital of Northern Australia.

“As the structure of the precinct begins to take its place in the Darwin City skyline, we are seeing the delivery of a new modern learning environment that will enhance Charles Darwin University’s attractiveness as a study institution of choice,” Minister Kirby said.

“The precinct will provide spaces for the broader community to enjoy, spreading activity to more areas of the Central Business District.”

Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling saidthe new campus and precinct will position Darwin as a future centre of educational excellence, attracting students from all over the country and the world, to live, work and study in Australia’s north.

“It is estimated that the new campus will increase economic output in the NT by more than $250 million over the next fifteen years, with significant flow-on effects for the whole region,” Mr Gosling said.

Ongoing works to complete the nine-level structure include installation of the external façade, the building’s fit out and landscaping works, expected to be completed in early 2024.

The Education and Community Precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal – the partnership between the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin to invest in transformational projects that make more liveable, sustainable and connected cities.

Once complete, the new city campus will be a significant driver of economic, social and cultural opportunities for Darwin, and the whole of Northern Australia, cementing the community’s future capacity to thrive, grow and prosper.

Construction of Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) new $250 million education and community precinct is on track to achieve a major milestone before the wet season, with the pouring of the basement slab nearing completion.

The project in Darwin’s CBD is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal and is a partnership between the Australian and Northern Territory governments and Charles Darwin University (CDU).

Territory company Halikos was recently awarded the contract for the construction and fit-out of the main building and the landscaping of the public areas.

Pouring of the 2,700 cubic metre slab, which forms the base of the two-level underground carpark, has been undertaken in 12 sections and began in October 2021. The sealing of the bottom of the excavation with the pouring of the slab reduces the risk presented by the upcoming wet season.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the project will help diversify the local economy and elevate Darwin’s competitiveness in the international education sector.

“The new Charles Darwin University precinct is the centrepiece of the $320 million Darwin City Deal which is a 10-year plan to position Darwin as a vibrant and liveable tropical city with a diversified economy,” Minister Fletcher said.

“Once complete, this project will have created more than 700 jobs, helped to diversify the local economy and enhanced the culture and vibrancy of the city for future generations.”

Northern Territory Minister for Jobs and Training, the Hon Paul Kirby MLA, said the project was providing a boost to the local economy.

“The slab, and the foundations below it, have involved approximately 388 mixer loads of concrete and 450 tonnes of steel reinforcement – all put in place by Territory businesses,” Minister Kirby said.

“This project will do two things – help define the Territory as a destination for quality training and education, and provide a world-class facility further beautifying our City.”

Federal Senator for the Northern Territory, Dr Sam McMahon, said it was great to see Halikos expanding its staffing levels and actively seeking construction workers to deliver the project.

“This important infrastructure project is creating jobs now to keep our economy going through difficult times,” Dr McMahon said.

“The scale of this project will create jobs in a diverse range of local businesses right through to early 2024.”

CDU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Bowman AO, said it was fantastic to see such a major milestone of the project completed.

“The project has come a long way in a short period of time and full credit to Halikos and its subcontractors for the progress made,” Professor Bowman said.

“Once complete, the iconic main building will establish Darwin as a university city and CDU as the University of Northern Australia.”

The new precinct will provide a modern city campus for CDU, a new purpose-built home for the Northern Territory Library and more than 230 underground car parks. 

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) is pleased to confirm its loan to fund the construction of Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) new Education and Community Precinct.

Delivered under the Australian Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), the funding will help make the new $250 million precinct a reality sooner for Darwin.

The loan funding is in addition to the $97.3 million commitment by the Government towards the project, which has already secured the development approvals needed for construction to start, meaning shovels can hit dirt on the project this year.

Minister for Northern Australia David Littleproud said this project will proceed with thanks to the NAIF loan.

“Now there will be jobs coming to Darwin with all the follow on to local economy,” Minister Littleproud said.

“At the end of the day, there will be a first-class education facility that will attract the best and brightest, for research and development for business and industry in Darwin.

“This is exactly the type of transformational project the NAIF is backing right across the north, with $3.1 billion already committed to 26 projects.

“Not only will these projects increase local amenity and opportunities for communities, they are expected to inject $15 billion into the economy and create more than 10,000 construction and ongoing jobs – providing a boost to northern Australia and its economy.”

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the new precinct is a significant infrastructure project that will help create jobs and support local businesses.

“The new CDU precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal, which is helping to position Darwin as a vibrant and liveable tropical city with a strong and diversified economy,” Minister Fletcher said.

“This precinct will deliver state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, an art gallery and library that will transform the Territory’s education sector and open up opportunities for the broader community.”

Senator for the Northern Territory Dr Sam McMahon said the precinct will be a lasting legacy that brings in more students and professionals while encouraging new investments, local business and more activity in the Territory’s capital.

“I look forward to seeing shovels hit the ground in the coming months, with construction expected to create 730 much-needed jobs and the project to inject $600 million back into the Territory economy,” Dr McMahon said.

Special Envoy for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald said the NAIF loan is another milestone for northern Australia development.

“CDU is helping to grow our own talent and drive a stronger, more diversified northern Australia economy,” Senator McDonald.

Construction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024, with CDU able to draw on the loan funds to support construction milestones.

The final design of the Education and Community Precinct was released late August 2021, and can be viewed at: educationcommunityprecinct.cdu.edu.au.

NAIF has made financing commitments of $3.1 billion to projects in northern Australia. These projects are forecast to generate more than $15 billion in economic impact and support more than 10,000 jobs (during construction and operations).

In the Northern Territory, NAIF has approved $711 million of financing to projects, which are forecast to support more than 3,000 jobs.

NAIF CEO Chris Wade said: “NAIF has worked closely with CDU over a number of years and we are delighted that our investment has now closed and can be drawn as required. The new precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal which will provide a modern city campus and support future jobs, education, new investment and future research.”

“It is great to see the progress already made on site to date and we look forward to seeing the campus rise from the ground in the coming months.”