PLANNING and infrastructure will be integral as Bathurst Regional Council considers a Charles Sturt University presence in the centre of the city.
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That's according to director of environmental, planning and building services Neil Southorn, who also says the unique character of the Bathurst CBD must be protected during the process.
Council announced earlier this month that it had awarded the tender for the preparation of a Bathurst Town Centre Master Plan to the Sydney company Allen, Jack and Cottier Architects.
Among the plan's aims are to find a suitable use for the former Bathurst TAFE site, look at development opportunities in the city centre and to consider CSU's goal to create a campus in the CBD.
Mr Southorn said there were a number of ways for council to maximise the benefits of having a university in the city.
"Firstly, by making sure the right planning controls are in place to facilitate a university presence, whilst protecting the character of the city," he said.
"Secondly, by making sure the right infrastructure is in place to support the university presence and, thirdly, by maintaining council's economic stimulus programs generally to support existing and new business development in parallel to the university contribution."
Charles Sturt represents eight per cent of the Bathurst economy due to its significant workforce and student presence, according to Mr Southorn.
He said the consultation plan that Allen, Jack and Cottier will implement in early 2020 "will involve a broad section of business, industry and community", not just the university.
Mr Southorn said there were a number of successful examples in other cities that Bathurst could use as it considers a university presence in the CBD, including CSU's campus in Port Macquarie, but said "the options for Bathurst must be designed with the layout and character of Bathurst in mind".
Allen, Jack and Cottier has already started "desk top work" on the master plan, Mr Southorn said, and "the consultants will be in Bathurst to continue their work early in the new year".
