The University of Newcastle has won planning approval for a new $22 million nursing school.
The university plans to convert level two of the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) building from a car park into a 3500-square-metre space to accommodate the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
The building, which stands near the university main entrance, will include the office of the pro vice-chancellor for the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing.
The project, which is expected to be finished my the middle of next year, will result in the loss of 141 parking spaces.
The ICT building will be renamed the Health Education Research Building.
Of the 141 car parks set to go permanently, 134 are staff spaces and seven are specialist parking spots. Accessible car parks from level two will be replaced on level one.
The university said early this year that the project would result in a "small net reduction" in parking.
It said the Callaghan campus had experienced a gradual decline in demand for on-site parking and traffic studies indicated parking infrastructure was "sufficient" to meet current and forecast demand.
The university said in a media statement on Monday that the building refurbishment would provide "cutting-edge simulation labs and modern teaching spaces for health studies".
The university said it planned to award a construction contract soon.
