New Moranbah study hub opens doors for locals
Published on 09 September 2025
Locals in Moranbah now have a direct line into university, TAFE and trades courses with the region’s first Country Universities Centre officially open.
Isaac Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said the new hub is about giving locals a fair go and making education more accessible, no matter what their background or situation.
“This is a real investment in people, it’s about backing people who are trying to make a go of study and just need a bit of help to get there,” Mayor Vea Vea said.
“We’ve seen for years how many people walk away from a course because they’re too isolated or trying to study at midnight after a long shift. This centre changes that. You can treat this like your campus. It’s your place to focus away from distractions and build a proper study routine. Whether you’re working at the mines, in childcare, hospitality or health, you don’t have to leave town to chase qualifications anymore. We’re creating a place where people stay and grow, and that’s what makes strong communities.”
This project would not have been possible without the $2 Million dollars received from the Regional Economic Futures Fund and the Regional University Study Hubs funding from the Federal Government of $1.4 Million dollars over 4 years.
The new centre gives students a free, practical study base with fast internet, printers, remote exam supervision, video conferencing and quiet spaces. It also means anyone trying to juggle family life, shift work and study won’t have to do it alone.
Councillor Melissa Westcott, Chair of CUC Isaac, said the Centre’s strong start showed how much the community valued having study opportunities close to home.
“The response so far has been incredible and really shows the difference this will make for local people,” Cr Westcott said.
“Until now, most of our residents have had to leave town if they wanted to study. Having this option in Moranbah is a practical way to build skills locally and strengthen our future workforce. Isaac Regional Council is proud to have helped make this a reality and we look forward to working closely with local business and industry to make sure it continues to grow.”
Kim Edwards, Manager of Isaac's Country Universities Centre, said that the centre provides all the additional support for students to succeed in their studies.
"We provide fast internet, free printing, networking with other students and a quiet place to study," Ms Edwards said.
"We try and give students the full higher education experience while they stay here in the region. We also provide the human support, such as having someone to talk to about their studies, and help them know how to find solutions."
The centre is open from 6am to midnight, seven days a week, with face-to-face student support available during business hours. Study rooms and breakout spaces are free to book, with exam supervision, academic help and wellbeing services all available on site.
Moranbah’s facility is the first of two planned for the region, with Clermont’s Country Universities Centre to follow in 2026. Both form part of the national CUC network and are funded through the Regional Economic Futures Fund.
Since registrations opened, students in their twenties through to forties have already signed up, studying fields including nursing, education, business and engineering.
“This is how we build a future workforce locally,” Ms Edwards said. “You support people through their learning journey and the whole region benefits.”