Executive director of facilities management Stephen Butt said availability of student accommodation was an ongoing issue and any development that helps alleviate some of the the pressure was a positive thing.

A Development Application has been lodged with Bathurst Regional Council for a multi-million dollar 490-bed proposal on the site of the former All Hallows College.

If it goes ahead the project will be completed in three stages. The first will see 365 beds open in time for the start of classes in 2012.

Mr Butt said accommodation was one of the major expenses for any university student.

“Accommodation is a crucial component of any university experience,” Mr Butt said.

“CSU owns a range of accommodation but it obviously it doesn’t address everyone’s requirements.

“Any development that meets that is a positive step,” he said.

Mr Butt said the university has not been in consultation with the developers, however, they are looking forward to hearing from them.

He said he does not feel the new development will be in competition with CSU for student dollars.

“While it is a commercial activity for them, if this development assists in attracting and retaining students then we welcome it,” he said.

Earlier this week real estate agents confirmed rental opportunities across the board were few and far between this year with several applicants for every property.

Rents sit at between $250 and $400 per week.

The agents said they see no end in sight for this kind of demand for rental properties.

The main ballot for on campus accommodation was conducted last week, with the university filling almost all of its 1200 beds.