Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says the government had “agreed, or agreed in part, to all 10 recommendations” from a standing committee report on student housing released during the last Assembly term.

But Ms Gallagher says student accommodation projects and new accommodation at UC and ANU are already delivering affordable accommodation options, at discounted rents of at least 20 per cent below the market rate.

“The newest developments such as the ‘Weeden Lodge’ project in the refurbished Cameron Offices in Belconnen, will add around 1,000 new dwellings for students in Belconnen,” Ms Gallagher says.

“Looking at alternative models of accommodation, like the multi-bedroom student cooperatives – such as those being delivered by the Canberra Student Housing Cooperative – also means that new ways of meeting student accommodation needs are considered and students have greater involvement in better planning for future growth in the sector.”

Ms Gallagher says she wants Canberra to become the destination of first choice for every university student, early career researcher and professor.

“It is important that if we are looking to position Canberra as a leader in the provision of tertiary education that future growth in the sector is not constrained by lack of affordable housing for potential students,” she says.