You may have noticed construction fences and “don’t enter” signs littered around campus. Or maybe you’re hearing rumblings of building demolitions? From Cadigal green to Manning house, it is clear the University is implementing several construction projects. What are they? How long will they take? And which parts impact you? Let’s talk about it.
Last year, the University released its 2032 Strategy, a ten year plan that is working to “ensure our places – current and future, physical and digital – are inviting to all and enable success.”
Accordingly, students can expect to see renovations and reconstructions occurring on campus. One of the announced projects is self-serving facilities installed at buildings like the Abercrombie Business School, Carslaw, Fisher Library, New Law, PNR, and the SciTech Library.
When asked where students can get access to key information about these ongoing construction sites a spokesperson for the University said “this is an evolving program and new elements will be added over time. When activity is likely to directly affect students, we include information, updates, and advice in Student News about what is happening on campus.”
Construction at Manning House commenced in 2023 and is taking place both internally and structurally. The building is undergoing internal renovations like “self-serving kitchenettes”, and is being equipped with new food facilities like microwaves and sandwich presses.
Students can expect continuing work to “maintain the facade and roof of the Manning Building” with an expected completion date of “mid April, weather permitting.”
More construction is occurring at Ralph’s cafe, across from Cadigal Green. The cafe is set to be updated with “seating, tables and shade, a BBQ, powerpoints for charging laptops, good wifi coverage and other self-catering facilities like a zip-tap” which the university said can be expected to be completed by May.
Various other notable buildings on campus like the Wentworth Building (the location of Honi Soit’s office) and Wilkinson Building (School of Architecture, Design, and Planning) are rumoured to be next in this slew of construction projects the university is implementing.
Specifically, talks of Wentworth’s demolition have been active for some years now but when asked to comment the media office said, “we’re exploring options to enhance our student experience in the Wentworth Building, including a possible redevelopment with a focus on student services, student support, and social spaces, and a potential retail hub. No decision has yet been made.”
The “potential retail hub” is in line with the rumoured food courts and commercial developments looming over the fate of Wentworth.
With this comes the uncertainty of where the SRC services may live which includes vital case-work roles, legal services, and council activism. As well as this, the fate of Honi Soit’s office also hangs in the balance.