As many are aware, a recent highlight for the highereducation sector was the release of the Universities Accord final report, whichmade 47 recommendations to government to overhaul the tertiary education sector.  A key take out of the report was the focus onthe critical role of preparatory courses to increase access to and uptake ofhigher education. This recommendation presents real opportunities for futurestudents in the Tamworth region and UNE is exploring this further with ourstakeholders. We are urging the community to become involved in changing ourregion by reaching out to your local members.

Key activities to be aware of in February/March:

• The UNE Tamworth Central     Building Development Application (DA) public exhibition period closed on     the 14 February. Submissions are now under consideration  by the Joint Regional Planning Portal     (JRPP)
     
     
• Tamworth Regional Council     (TRC) lodged their DA for site demolition/remediation on 20 February.
     
     
• The velodrome site remains     in the possession of TRC until these processes are complete.

• The start of site works is     still on track for mid-2024, subject to the planning processes underway.

Other UNE News inTamworth:

4 March – UNE Water in the Landscape Initiative (WILI) metwith the Murray Darling Basin Authority in Tamworth over opportunities forcollaboration and partnership in education

6-7 March – UNE’s Smart Region Incubator (SRI) and Facultyof Science, Agriculture, Business, and Law (SABL) promoted opportunities forresearch, education, and innovation at AgSmart.

UNE Urban and Regional Planning students arecurrently collaborating with Tamworth Regional Council staff on two projects inTrimester 1 focused on the Tamworth CBD, with further collaboration planned in Trimester2. Please keep an eye out for more details of this exciting opportunity forwork integrated learning in the coming months.