James Cook University has unveiled an ambitious 50-year plan for the Townsville campus.

It includes new childcare facilities, an aged-care home and a hotel by 2035. That’s within a 20-year time frame where JCU is anticipating investing $1.9 billion into infrastructure.

The Townsville Campus Master Plan, which accommodates more residential accommodation and an ‘Ideas Market’, is expected to create demand for more than 1500 jobs.

The planning process prioritised ‘on campus’ student life experiences, said JCU Director – Estate, Hilary Kavanagh.

He said that in the past year, James Cook University had completed projects worth more than $171 million in north Queensland.

“These include the $85 million state-of-the-art Science Place in Townsville, as well as $25 million spent on the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine building in Cairns and the $40 million Cairns student accommodation project,” said Mr Kavanagh.

“The figures add to the more than $340 million in capital works the university has completed in the previous eight years.”

Priority projects under the masterplan were the Central Plaza and Technology Innovation Complex, Mr Kavanagh said.

JCU will continue to develop Mount Stuart Street with a mix of academic and student accommodation and commercial, retail and public functions, he said.

The landscape will feature outdoor ‘learning oases’, tropical courtyards and an arboretum.