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New Curtin dorms to ease housing squeeze

Edward ScownGeraldton Guardian
Curtin University - Halls of Residence
Camera IconCurtin University - Halls of Residence Credit: SUPPLIED

Curtin University is hoping to ease the daunting task regional high school leavers face when looking for accommodation in Perth.

With the rental vacancy rate at 0.9 per cent — just over half the rate in Geraldton — it’s never been harder to find a place, let alone one close to uni.

More than 900 places will be made available from 2022 in Curtin’s two new residential buildings, the 407-room St Catherine’s College and the 10-storey, 517-bed Twin Dolphin Hall.

“Curtin will be able to offer the incredible benefits of on-campus living to young people, particularly those from rural, regional and remote areas,” vice-chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said.

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Following the American college model, both residences will feature a dining hall, with the option of including meals in the rent.

The two buildings will be part of a bigger complex known as Exchange. It will include 3000sqm of retail space, a grocery shop and a hotel which will accommodate travelling families, academics and industry experts. All up, the project is slated to cost $300 million.

The university is offering incentives to entice the first cohort.

Those admitted to St Catherine’s College will receive $7500 towards residential fees, while Twin Dolphin Hall residents will get a 50 per cent rent reduction.

According to a University of Newcastle report released earlier this year, regional students were more likely to live on-campus than not, chasing a “surrogate small-town feeling.” Students living on-campus reported higher levels of satisfaction than those in private rentals. However, some reported getting caught up in party culture, negatively affecting their study.

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