A new Canberra Institute of Technology campus in the heart of Woden is one step closer, with the ACT government unveiling concept plans for the landmark development.
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The government will on Wednesday call for the public's input into the design of the new campus, which is set to be built on a 5000 square-metre block of land encompassing the site of the existing Woden bus station and former police station.
The project, which Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced in November, has an estimated cost of up to $250 million.
The government has released artist impressions of two possible campus designs to "test the community's views" on what could be built on the site.
One design features a single high-rise building overlooking Callam Street.
The other so-called "massed design" concept features a shorter and wider main building.
The government wants feedback on the height of any future development, the layout of the campus, the provision of green space, as well as input into how the precinct might link up to Woden Town Centre.
The campus - which would accommodate 6500 students - would either be built next to or on top of a redeveloped Woden transport interchange, which would cater to bus and future light rail services.
"The new major campus will transform Woden into a better place for people to live, work and study," tertiary education minister Chris Steel said.
"We have a unique opportunity to design and build a high quality integrated mixed-use campus where Canberrans can study, catch public transport and access a range of community services, all in the one central location."
Local Labor member Bec Cody said the new CIT had the potential to "completely reshape the north east of Woden Town Centre from a concrete and asphalt jungle into a modern teaching campus".
The government has started preliminary planning work on the development, contracting a design firm earlier this year to draw up a master plan for the new campus.
According to the terms of the contract, the consultants were asked to examine options to "maximise" development on the site, which would require buildings of between 12 and 16 storeys in height.
The possibility of incorporating an indoor sports centre, commercial space and even affordable housing into the campus was also floated.
There is no mention of any of those additional uses in the consultation documents.
The governments hopes to finalise the business case for the project later this year.
Construction work was due to to start in early 2022, with students expected on campus in 2024.
The new Woden campus will effectively replace Reid CIT, on Constitution Avenue.
The government has provided assurances that Reid CIT would remain open until the Woden campus was completed.
Canberra Institute of Technology chief executive Leanne Cover expected that a number of courses taught at Reid would also be offered in Woden, including hospitality, tourism and cyber security.
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Ms Cover said the course offerings would adapt to reflect the changing needs of the workforce and Canberra community.
Consultation on the new campus' design is open until June 17.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
