2007 Media Releases
Thursday 27 September, 2007
New La Trobe Shepparton Campus gets the green light
A just announced Federal Government grant of $3.5 million has put construction of the new La Trobe University Shepparton Campus over the line. There is also a component for a videoconference link into Seymour.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, said the extra funding was enough to allow the Campus Development Implementation Plan to be finalised, and for the Stage 1 of the building to be started as soon as possible.
La Trobe University, the Greater Shepparton City Council and Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE had originally applied to the Federal government for $9.2m.
‘While we are well short of that, the Government’s contribution will allow a first phase of the campus to be built. The University will continue to work with the community and the Governments to realise the full $22.2m project.
‘We have a commitment to the sustainable growth of the region, and consider this a shared journey. The extra resources we have obtained will greatly improve the teaching and learning environment for Shepparton and the region.’
(The new funds supplement previous commitments of $1.5m from the Federal Government, $2m from La Trobe University and $2m from the Victorian Government.)
Professor Johnson said the University recognised the great enthusiasm in Shepparton for quality higher education. Part of La Trobe’s new strategic planning was to extend this to the region on a sustainable basis.
‘The new building will allow us to enhance teaching and research to meet the aspirations of local students and reduce their need to leave for other cities, universities or campuses. Along with the community, we plan to consolidate La Trobe University as the ‘university of first choice’ for Shepparton and the region.
‘I have asked that the building of key teaching and learning areas begins as soon as possible, and look forward to reporting further detail to the community in the near future. Our partnership needs to traverse all levels of activity, such as student enrolment in courses at their local university, scholarship funding, research programs and student work-placements, to mention a few,’ Professor Johnson said.
The new campus development will also extend the La Trobe and regional TAFE partnership to Seymour and Wangaratta, for delivery of higher education programs through a learning node.
Further information
Bob Goddard, Pro Vice Chancellor (Strategic Development) Tel: 03 9479 2004; Email: b.goddard@latrobe.edu.au or
David Ensor, Executive Director (Major Projects) Tel: 03-9479 3831; Email: d.ensor@latrobe.edu.au.
Copies of the new Shepparton Campus plans are available from La Trobe University Media and Communications.