Campus Infrastructure Committee

Establishment of Campus Infrastructure Committee

1. The University’s Senate is the governing authority of the University established under the University of Queensland Act 1998. The Act permits Senate to delegate its powers under the Act to an appropriately qualified Committee that includes one or more Members of Senate.

2. Senate has established a Campus Infrastructure Committee as a Committee of Senate.

Role of the Committee

3. The role of the Committee is to support and advise Senate in exercising its oversight in relation to the matters set out in these Terms of Reference. The establishment of this Committee does not relieve Senate of its responsibility for these matters.

4. The Committee advises Senate on Senate's approval of the University’s capital expenditure programme, advises Senate on property and physical infrastructure strategies for each campus, and provides oversight, on behalf of Senate, of the implementation of those strategies and the stewardship of the University’s major property and physical infrastructure assets.

5. In fulfilling its remit, the Committee will have particular regard to protecting and preserving the physical qualities that are the hallmarks of UQ, and promoting environmentally sustainable campuses.

Responsibilities of the Committee

6. Monitor, review and make recommendations to Senate with respect to the approval by Senate of:

6.1 Master Plans and Strategic Development Plans for all campuses.

6.2 5-year Capital Investment Plan (to achieve the aspirations of the Strategic Asset Management Plan) including its conformance and alignment with the University’s strategy and priorities.

6.3 The annual campus capital expenditure and maintenance budget allowances.

6.4 Campus capital works, maintenance and improvement projects:

6.4.1 where the total project cost exceeds the Vice-Chancellor’s delegation of authority under the Financial Delegations Policy including conformance of the project with the University’s strategic priorities, compliance with the relevant Campus Masterplan and ‘Design Guides’, the project’s design brief, architectural and design merit including energy efficiency, satisfaction of planning matters, adequacy of any business case (where appropriate), adequacy of project budget including life cycle costing and value for money, and suitability of procurement and delivery approach; or

6.4.2 that are outside the Master Plans, Strategies / Campus Development Plans; or

6.4.3 that are a material departure from Design Guides.

6.5 The property and estate management implications, if any, of acquisition or disposal of land or buildings over the Vice Chancellor’s delegated limits, and such other matters as agreed with the Chair of the Campus Infrastructure Committee and the Vice-Chancellor, or as directed by Senate.

7. Exercise oversight on behalf of Senate of Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) / Post Implementation Reviews (PIR) of projects approved under paragraph 6.3 (unless the Committee agrees that a POE/PIR is not required), or where the Committee requests a POE/PIR.

8. Exercise oversight on behalf of Senate of:

8.1 The implementation of the University’s rolling major capital works and maintenance programmes as specified in the Capital Investment Plan (CIP).

8.2 Strategies for developing commercial income streams from property including strategies for developing office, retail, leisure and entertainment precincts, and the implementation thereof, and

8.3 Strategies and programmes for infrastructure investments in relation to:

8.3.1 power and energy use and the implementation thereof;

8.3.2 information technology and the implementation thereof; and

8.3.3 supporting teaching and learning and research infrastructure, and the implementation thereof.

8.4 Strategies and programmes for environmental sustainability and the implementation thereof.

8.5 Strategies for public transport infrastructure and the implementation thereof.

8.6 The maintenance of the University’s Community Infrastructure Designations (CIDs).

8.7 The heritage listing of significant buildings or sites.

8.8 Campus wayfinding strategies.

9. Approve, on behalf of Senate, Design Guidelines for all campuses to protect and enhance the unique architectural and environmental merits of each campus.

10. Work jointly with the Senate Finance Committee to review proposals for the long-term strategic exploitation of all University land holdings including St Lucia properties, Pinjarra Hills, Sustainable Minerals Institute Indooroopilly Mine Site and Long Pocket. 

Powers of the Committee

11. The Committee shall not have authority to approve capital expenditure on behalf of Senate. Authority to approve expenditure beyond the Vice-Chancellor’s delegation of authority rests solely with Senate upon recommendation of the Finance Committee.

12. The Committee will work closely with the Finance Committee to ensure that its separate deliberations are co-ordinated to facilitate the effective consideration by Senate of matters requiring Senate approval.

13. The Committee may, from time to time, form a joint working group with Finance Committee in relation to matters where it is expedient to do so.

Structure and Composition of the Committee

14. Senate appoints a Member of Senate to chair the Committee.

15. Senate determines the membership of the Committee Members, except for the independent Members.

16. The Chair (with the agreement of the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor) may appoint up to two independent Members with expertise in one or more of the following: property strategy and/or development, architecture, planning, building design and/or construction, and the procurement, financing and management of major buildings or infrastructure projects.

17. Membership composition

• Chancellor
• Deputy Chancellor
• 2 -3 Senate Members
• Vice-Chancellor 
• President Academic Board
• Chair of Finance Committee
• Up to 2 independent Members.

In attendance

• Provost
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Property Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Campus stakeholders – to inform its deliberations, the Committee may invite to attend, where appropriate, a representative of School of Architecture and relevant campus stakeholders (chosen at its discretion) so that it may benefit from their perspectives and insights.

18. Expertise required of Members
Members of the Committee should preferably have experience in IT, infrastructure, architecture, design, planning, construction, property development, be a member of staff, or a student, or be affiliated to a residential college.

19. Term of appointment
The term of appointment of a Member is up to four years and may be renewed. Appointment terms should be staggered to ensure continuity of membership.

20. Responsibilities of Members

20.1 Under the Conflict of Interest Policy, Members need to ensure that any conflict of interest issue is avoided, resolved or appropriately managed in accordance with this Policy.

20.2 Members are required to comply with the University’s Code of Conduct, particularly the confidentiality requirements.

Operation of the Committee

21. The Committee will meet at least 4 times per year. To enable the Committee to respond quickly and efficiently, the Committee may schedule additional meetings to deal with matters requiring timely review and recommendation to Senate.

22. Secretariat support is provided by the Governance and Risk division.

23. The format of the agenda and minutes should be consistent with those produced for Senate meetings.

24. The agenda papers should be distributed at least a week before the meeting.

25. Members of the Committee may participate in the meeting by way of teleconference/video facilities.

26. The quorum for the Committee is a majority of Committee Members.

27. The Terms of Reference of the Committee and the functioning of the Committee should be subject to regular review by Senate, including self-assessment by the Committee every two years, to ensure that it is operating effectively and fulfilling its functions.

*As on 21 October 2025