Armidale locals wonder about Uni New England expanding into regional rival, Tamworth. VC Brigid Heywood tells them how it is

A decision on a university campus for Tamworth has been a while coming (CMM May 25) and writing in the Armidale Express yesterday Professor Heywood suggested, if it wasn’t going to be UNE there, “another university would be now establishing its presence in that city – and UNE and Armidale would be poorer for it.”

As for the campus connection with Armidale,  the VC pointed to the benefits UNE brings to the city, “graduations, sports festivals and conferences can bring in more than $500,000 of additional revenue to the city in any one week.”

And she has ideas on what the city could do for UNE, “a flourishing, vibrant city, rich with entertainment and employment opportunities, is exactly what UNE needs to support its on-campus experience and to attract long-term staff.”

However, “any visitor to Armidale could be forgiven for thinking that the city lacks vitality. The hum of activity that energises a city centre is often muted.”