SPP Featured in The Australian Financial Review on University Precincts and Campus Land Strategy

SPP is pleased to see our Senior Partner, Ben Apted, featured in a recent The Australian Financial Review article exploring how Australian universities are rethinking the use of campus land and precincts.

As Ben explains, relying on international student fees to fund new buildings and labs is becoming a harder model to sustain as the policy environment tightens. Rather than simply selling off land they don’t need, universities are turning it into a strategic asset.

“Universities engage commercial partners to fund growth, renew ageing assets and make better use of land that is no longer central to their core needs. They also want to create more active campuses, bringing industry, students and researchers into closer contact. The bigger goal is to build ecosystems that retain talent, IP and growth companies in Australia.”

Senior Partner, Ben Apted

Ben believes this approach can apply across the sector, although the options available differ substantially depending on a few things:

“How each university approaches engagement depends on its land, research strengths, student profile and strategic priorities. The choice of partner and deal structure matters, particularly as universities become more alert to commercial risk. Government expectations, multi-party partnerships and a less predictable operating environment are also pushing institutions to favour flexible, outcome-focused arrangements.”

Senior Partner, Ben Apted

As Ben puts it in the piece:

“It’s about finding a commercial revenue stream from land they don’t actually need.”

Senior Partner, Ben Apted

It’s also about creating options to make a long-term innovative organisation more valuable: commercially, socially and sustainably.

This is precinct thinking in action – exactly the kind of place-based strategy work our team helps universities and governments get right.