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The Federal Minister for Small Business, Housing and Homelessness, Mr Brendan O'Connor, visited The University of Western Australia last week to inspect construction progress for new student accommodation being built at Currie Hall.

Mr O'Connor toured the site and met Currie Hall residential students and UWA staff to inspect architectural plans and a scale model.

The project consists of three new buildings containing modern, self-contained studio and one-bedroom apartments - each equipped with a kitchenette and ensuite - multi-purpose rooms for media, music, art and games, a new café, landscaped and recreational areas, convenient under-croft car parking and on-site bicycle storage.

Currie Hall Principal Chris Massey, who is also Director of UWA Student Residences, said the University was pleased with building progress and looking forward to the new facilities providing an enhanced student experience from the start of next year.

"It is widely accepted that when students live and learn on campus, they become fully involved in the intellectual and cultural activities of the University," Mr Massey said.

The project is supported by the Australian Government under the National Rental Affordability Rental Scheme (NRAS) and will provide new, high-quality and affordable accommodation for an additional 515 UWA residential students.

The scheme allows the University and residential colleges to build and lease student accommodation below market rental rates to provide valuable support for students, particularly those from rural and regional Western Australia, students with disabilities and female students enrolled in non-traditional disciplines such as engineering, computer science and postgraduate study.

The new student accommodation is due to be ready for the start of next year's Semester One and the University's 2013 Centenary year.

"It is great to see the progress on these new homes, which will be targeted at those students who need help the most," Mr O'Connor said.

Media references

Chris Massey (Principal, Currie Hall)  (+61 8)  9273 3335
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783