Edith Cowan University: High hopes for $853m city campus to bring more life into CBD ahead of classes starting

A steady flow of students have been coming in to early classes at Edith Cowan University’s city campus and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Cara Mooney, 22, is about to study a graduate diploma in news and entertainment media, after studying at Notre Dame in Fremantle, where she lives. “It’s insane... it looks unreal, I think we’re all just so excited to be here, you can tell the incredible amount of effort that’s put into it,” she said. For Mya Boussi and Sophea Andrew, both 17, this will be their first taste of university. Sophea said she had been blown away with the campus. “I’ve seen the WAAPA classrooms, I think they’re absolutely amazing, I’ve seen all the WAAPA kids coming past because they started their courses first, I think they (the facilities) are absolutely beautiful,” she said. “I love the fact that there’s lots of places to sit around the campus, I think that’s really good thing to collaborate with other people and meet new people.” Mya agreed, “it’s beautiful, I love the architecture, just how it’s all built,” she said. More than 7000 students will soon flood into the campus, which had under construction since 2023, with the vast majority of classes beginning on the last week of February, Among the features include a mock courtroom, a rooftop grass lawn and a theatre with a built in orchestra pit. It cost $853 million to build, with the Federal Government chipping in $294 million and the Western Australian Government putting in $199 million. As time goes on the campus, which replaces the 40-year-old Mount Lawley facility, is expected to hold up to 10,000 students and staff. The central location is also hoped to breathe new life into Yagan Square and the city centre with an influx of students to provide a boost for businesses, cafes and restaurants in the area. ECU Vice-Chancellor Clare Pollock said the campus was all about integrating into the community. “This building and this project is all about connection, it connects our students with each other, it connects our staff with the business and the industry and the government around Perth,” she said. Speaking at the site on Friday, Roger Cook said the campus would help enliven the CBD. “This campus is not only going to provide an opportunity for young people to study in the city, it’s going to provide an opportunity for the city to come alive,” the Premier said. “It’s going to give us an opportunity to really support the economy of the CBD. “8500 people here initially, going up to 10,000 every single day of the week.” Ms Mooney said she was excited to get out and see what was on offer. “It’s really exciting to be on a proper campus in the city, I feel like it’s going to bring a lot of life into the city and I think we’re all really excited,” she said. “I’ve spent my whole life in Fremantle, so I’m really excited to properly explore the city, go out, try new food, drink, I know everyone’s just really excited to get amongst it.”