The project is expected to cost around $5 million.

A spokesman said this will further strengthen the presence of Notre Dame in Lithgow and provide new opportunities for medical training, particularly in rural areas.

The construction has been enabled by a capital works grant from the Federal Department of Health and Ageing who are the major funders of the project.

The UNDA is also grateful for the kind support of NSW Health.

The spokesman said Notre Dame is committed to training doctors with a focus on the health needs of rural communities.

This building will provide excellent new facilities for medical students and will also be a resource for health professionals in Lithgow.

It will include a lecture theatre, consultation rooms and training spaces as well as offices and other accommodation.

Associate Dean of the Rural Clinical School Associate Professor Joe McGirr said the development would contribute to rural communities across Australia.

“We are delighted to begin construction on this new clinical school building,” he said.

“It will make a real difference to medical training in Lithgow and is a further demonstration of Notre Dame’s commitment to the community here.

“Once built, we hope that this new facility will help to improve people’s health not only in Lithgow but also in other rural communities as we train the next generation of Australian doctors.”

The university has been unable to provide a definite starting date due to problems created by the long summer spell of wet weather.

Notre Dame is establishing a similar Rural Clinical School at Wagga Wagga and another in country Victoria.