Student Halls of Residence (Burralga Yumba)
The second NAIF loan helped develop new Halls of Residence on the JCU Townsville Campus. The project consisted of a seven-storey facility to house 425 students.
January 2020
Social Infrastructure
Townsville, QLD
The second NAIF loan helped develop new Student Halls of Residence on the JCU Townsville Campus. The project consisted of a seven-storey facility to house 425 students.
About James Cook University
James Cook University (JCU) is a distinguished institution that takes pride in its four vibrant campuses: Townsville, Cairns, Brisbane, and Singapore. These strategic locations enable JCU to deliver a comprehensive and globally oriented education, all in line with its pioneering spirit and unwavering dedication to academic excellence.
Project Overview
The seven-storey, 10,000 m² building will house more than 400 students in contemporary and affordable student accommodation featuring study bedrooms in share accommodation, high-quality communal facilities, and a centralised, self-catered kitchen and dining space. It is located on Mount Stuart Street, adjacent to the Engineering & Innovation Place. The building opened to students in June, 2022.
How We Helped
NAIF focuses on projects that generate real and sustained population growth across northern Australia, and the new Halls of Residence at JCU is an example of a transformational project that will ultimately grow the region’s economy in the decades to come.
Public Impact
The project has a forecast public benefit of $140 million over 30 years. This includes the advantages of retaining students that may otherwise leave the region and attracting new students into the region with contemporary on-campus accommodation. The Student Halls of Residence has an estimated number of jobs of 348 during the construction phase and 221 jobs during the operations phase.
NAIF’s Investment Decision… gave JCU the confidence to progress the work required.
Professor Sandra Harding
JCU Vice Chancellor.
Related Links
Indigenous Engagement
- The Bindal People
Townsville is located on the traditional lands of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba peoples. The James Cook University (JCU) Townsville campus, known as Bebegu Yumba, is situated on Bindal Country in the suburb of Douglas. This campus not only serves as a place of learning but also honours the cultural heritage and custodianship of the Bindal people. Bindal Country, known as Thul Garrie Waja, extends south of the Ross River and includes significant parts of Townsville and its surrounds. The Bindal people’s totem is the Eel (Burdell), symbolising their strong connection to water sources such as rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal ecosystems, which are rich in biodiversity and cultural significance. A central element of their cultural knowledge is the shooting star, which is believed to signify either danger or a call for help from the direction in which it falls. Today, the Bindal people continue to uphold their responsibilities as custodians of both land and sea Country, preserving their cultural traditions and protecting the natural environment for future generations.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Commitments
- JCU will appoint a liaison officer to facilitate communication between key stakeholders, including the JCU Indigenous Reference Group. The group will also be consulted to ensure alignment with cultural heritage requirements under the JCU Natural Assets Management Plan and to support the annual review of the Indigenous Engagement Strategy (IES).
- Committed to a target of 3% First Nations employment across design, construction, and operational phases. Contractors will be required to provide on-the-job training, mentoring, inductions, and upskilling, and report progress against these commitments. Operating contractor tenders will be assessed on their Indigenous employment levels, employment pathways, and provision of cross-cultural awareness training.
- JCU will require tenderers to demonstrate previous First Nations employment outcomes, both directly and through subcontractors. A 10% evaluation weighting will be assigned to business engagement and employment targets at the construction tender stage. First Nations participation expectations will be clearly communicated throughout the procurement process.
- In partnership with ICN, will host “meet the buyer” and “meet the bidder” forums in Townsville to promote First Nations business participation. A database of local First Nations businesses will be maintained to support direct engagement when opportunities arise.
- An annual $40,000 scholarship pool will be established to support First Nations students through dedicated accommodation scholarships, reinforcing JCU’s commitment to education pathways for First Nations peoples.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Outcomes
- In 2021, contractor Hutchinson Builders achieved 6.8% First Nations employment, supporting several staff through their internal Statim Yaga program. JCU applied a 10% weighting to Indigenous participation at the RFT stage, while Hutchinson applied a 30% weighting to subcontract tenders. A total of 1.4% of procurement spend went to First Nations businesses.
- In 2022, First Nations employment reached 13.1%, with 3.9% of total procurement directed to local First Nations businesses. The Burralga Yumba building officially opened in July, showcasing Bindal culture through its design, naming, signage, and commissioned artwork. UniLodge became the accommodation provider, employing First Nations staff and offering 10 dedicated rooms for First Nations students.
- In late 2022, Burralga Yumba transitioned into operations, with 13 First Nations students supported by scholarships jointly funded by JCU, UniLodge, and the McCall MacBain Foundation. Cultural engagement increased through site visits and events led by Indigenous staff, supported by strong partnerships with Cowboys House and JCU’s Indigenous Education and Research Centre.
- In 2023, Burralga Yumba hosted students from Cowboys House and Palm Island as part of university experience programs. By the end of the year, 32 First Nations students had received accommodation scholarships, with contributions exceeding $364,000 from JCU, UniLodge, and the McCall MacBain Foundation.
- In 2024, eight new scholarship recipients were awarded funding for the academic year, with support of up to $15,000 per student. Cultural site visits and workshops were extended to Palm Island Primary School to strengthen tertiary education pathways for younger First Nations students.
