Bulletin

Issue: March 2006

News

Green light for new City campus

Plans are underway for La Trobe University’s new City Campus in Melbourne’s Central Business District. This follows University Council approval of the business plan to refurbish Melbourne’s iconic Argus Building at the corner of La Trobe and Elizabeth Streets.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Stoddart, said the new campus – scheduled to open its doors in 2008 – will allow La Trobe to expand its city presence and create new opportunities for the University and its staff and students.

‘The location is ideal. It will help us develop closer links with government, business and professional communities, and raise our profile in higher education both nationally and internationally.

‘The new campus will provide a rich intellectual environment in a central, world-class facility with great commercial opportunities. In an era of increasing competition and reduced government funding for universities, the new campus will strengthen our core teaching and research activities,’ Professor Stoddart said.

Professor Brian Graetz, Executive Director of the new City campus, said the campus will provide a high quality teaching and research facility, as well as much needed room for expansion.

‘With its strong focus on teaching and research, it will become La Trobe’s third largest campus in its first full year of operation.’

Professor Graetz said the Argus Building will bring together University activities now located at Franklin Street and other sites in central Melbourne. An important part of the success of the project is the opportunity to appeal to new markets.

‘The city location will be a particular attraction for international students. Ease of access by public transport also makes it convenient for students from across Melbourne. Research and executive education programs will benefit from the doorstep city location.’

The new city campus will combine high-profile research and teaching activities. Research programs will include the Conflict Resolution Research Centre, the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), Mother and Child Health Research and the Centre for Studies in Biography and Autobiography.

Director of the Conflict Resolution Research Centre, Professor of Law, Tania Sourdin, said the new campus will provide better facilities for researchers and a more central location for students. Her centre examines issues such as mediation, negotiation, decision making and communication skills.

Its work contributes to legal aid, family law, retail lease, administrative law, commercial law, and complaints about health care and legal service.

Research projects have been funded by the Attorney General’s Department, State governments, Courts, industry and the Australian Research Council. With close links to legal and ADR practitioners, scholars, government, the courts, industry and consumers, her centre also provides consultancy services.

‘We also deliver skills training for industry and the community. Professional workshops are held throughout the year. The new campus is very conveniently located for these activities.’

La Trobe’s Mother and Child Health Research Centre has an international reputation for research into how changes in health care and health practices are implemented. Its research is carried out with hospitals, primary care providers and community groups, supported by national, local and University research grants.

Director, Professor Judith Lumley, said her staff of about 30 carries out studies with women, doctors, midwives, nurses, health service managers, community organisations and local councils. Studies range from health problems in pregnancy, labour or birth, to assessing the long-term effects of reproduction and assisted conception on women’s health.

Professor Lumley, whose centre is located at the Royal Women’s Hospital campus in Carlton, said she was looking forward to completion of the Argus building and working alongside other key La Trobe research centres.

‘Interstate and overseas visitors, as well as people taking part in research projects, will appreciate the new location. Its proximity to the central railway station and the many tram routes will be a big plus.’

Professor Graetz said the new city campus will also offer courses from language and foundation studies to business diplomas, and Bachelor and Masters degrees by coursework and PhDs.

‘There will be an emphasis on professional and executive training. Courses such as the Graduate Certificate in Fraud Investigation and Master of Public Health, now offered at Franklin Street, will continue at the new campus. Others, such as the Master of Global Business Law, will be offered in the City for the first time.’

One new course will be the Master of Professional Accounting, highlighting the University’s success and depth of expertise in this area.

Dean of the Faculty of Law and Management, Professor Raymond Harbridge, said he expected the inner city location to increase demand for business courses, and build upon recent success in this area. Professional and executive programs in particular will benefit from the new location.

Professor Graetz said the University has invested significantly in the Argus Building, and will fund the bulk of its redevelopment from borrowings.

‘Revenues from a combination of commercial and academic activities at the campus will be used to repay the loan. The project is forecast to become revenue positive within a short period and yield a return on investment in the medium term. Significant ongoing benefits, both financial and non-financial, are expected.’

Plans for the Argus redevelopment are being supervised by the University’s Buildings & Grounds Division. The architects, DesignInc Melbourne, have extensive experience with inner city development and design solutions for universities. Donald Cant Watts and Corke have been engaged as quantity surveyors for the project with DTZ Australia as retail consultants.

La Trobe on La Trobe

Prominently located on the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe streets, the Argus Building was home to The Argus newspaper for 30 years until the newspaper closed in 1957.

The University’s entrance will be on La Trobe St, making it ‘La Trobe on La Trobe’.

Professor Graetz said the ground floor will be for commercial use.

‘The recent completion of the Melbourne Central redevelopment across the road is a good sign for retail opportunities in this area.’

The original design for the Argus Building incorporated an ornate clock tower but only the base was completed. ‘Funds to complete it will be sought from donations, corporate sponsorship and enterprise activities,’ Professor Graetz said, ‘thus completing an architectural dream for that part of Melbourne!’

See: www.latrobe.edu.au/city or contact Professor Graetz, Email: b.graetz@latrobe.edu.au or Tel: 03 9479 3587.