News that construction remains on track for completion in April 2016 is welcome relief for many who will not have to move away from home to follow their dreams.

The Hastings has enjoyed an economic boost during construction of the $46 million development, and having a first-class university is expected to reap real and long-term benefits for the local economy.

Staff and students will relocate from the Grant Street, Port Macquarie campus to the Lake Innes campus during the mid-session break from April 11 to 22 to minimise class disruption.

Stage one of the new campus is built around a central courtyard and features teaching and research areas, large learning commons, a library and Indigenous student centre.

Head of campus Professor Heather Cavanagh said the CSU community was getting excited.

"We have a view that we can, working with all the other education providers in the region, make this a real hub for educational excellence," she said.

"The opening of stage one almost cements that."

The university started with a cohort of 24 students three years ago. Today, there are 560 students.

Courses are on the rise too.

There are 11 courses on offer this year, with a further eight planned to be introduced over the next two years.

CSU aims to develop a full-service campus with comprehensive courses for up to 5000 students by 2030.

The first international student intake is planned in 2017.