1970s

1970 – North Parramatta site re-organised under the title ‘Biological and Chemical Research Institute’ (BCRI).

1971 – Ron Mulock (MLA for Nepean) refers to educational needs of the West in his maiden Parliamentary speech.

1972 – Graham Swain succeeds Bernard Doman as Principal of Hawkesbury Agricultural College (HAC). He would be the last Principal of the College.
HAC becomes a non-corporate College of Advanced Education (CAE).

1972 – In the ALP federal election platform, E. G. Whitlam projects new teachers and Technical Colleges for Western Sydney, and a new University.
Whitlam Government was elected.

1973 – Kingswood and Westmead CAEs merge to form Nepean CAE.

1974 – Bull-Swanson Report proposes a University for Southwest Sydney, and makes way for initial funding for NSW Government initiatives.
Campbelltown campus land resumed from the Thompson family. 

1974 – Milperra CAE announced.  $100,000 provided to NSW Government from the Whitlam Government for exploratory work in the foundation of the southwestern University.

1975 – NSW Higher Education Act passed, establishing the Higher Education Board (HEB); the next year, Ron Parry returns from Victoria as Chair of the HEB.
Dismissal of the Whitlam Government.
Parramatta South buildings listed by the National Trust.

1976 – Wran ALP Government takes power in NSW; Laurie John (Jack) Ferguson becomes Deputy Premier.
NSW Education Department foreshadows collapse of Teacher Education places.
Hawkesbury, Milperra and Nepean CAEs rapidly expand offerings to attain sustainability.
Building 1 on Milperra CAE opened.

1977 – Kingswood CAE main building opened.

1978 – Children’s Court and remand centre built on a section of the Werrington estate.