Uni site for sale

By MARA PATTISON-SOWDEN
YARRA Ranges residents have been angered by news that Swinburne University wants to sell off its Lilydale campus, according to the Yarra Ranges Council.
The council believes the purpose-built infrastructure should remain for future education, not be sold off to developers.
Swinburne University agrees that the buildings should be used for education, but has said nothing of the plans for sale.
Students and staff rallied again at the Lilydale campus last week, following a major demonstration in the city against the state-wide plans to cut TAFE education.
Mayor Graham Warren said reports that Swinburne was considering selling the site for $27m had angered local residents.
“The land for the site was compulsorily acquired by the State Government and gifted to Swinburne for the purpose of an educational facility,” he said.
“We believe it is not theirs to sell for profit.”
Cr Warren said the site should continue to be used for educational purposes and called on the State Government to support the region by not allowing a sale.
“We have been in discussion with Swinburne and other education providers looking at possible options for the site,” he said.
“Our priority is to ensure tertiary opportunities for the outer east.”
Cr Warren said an upcoming forum would provide an opportunity to discuss the needs and future of tertiary education in the region.
“Strong empowered communities can make a significant contribution to helping bring a positive solution to this issue,” he said.
In its submission to the State Government’s TAFE reform panel, the Yarra Ranges Council highlighted the need to work with a range of institutions to secure the ongoing delivery of tertiary education at Lilydale.
The council’s submission also seeks support for an inclusive land use master plan for the site that maximises benefits for the Yarra Ranges community.
In a statement Swinburne University Vice Chancellor Professor Linda Kristjanson said they supported the council’s efforts to plan a future for the Lilydale site which delivered value for the community.
“While I understand the disappointment that Swinburne will be leaving Lilydale next year, there is great potential for the existing facilities to be used in a way that brings together a range of partners to ensure that tertiary education can continue to be available, as well as a range of other uses which will deliver value for the local community,” she said.
Opposition leader Daniel Andrews visited the Lilydale campus last Thursday to meet students and staff, following an emergency stop work at Treasury Gardens by the National Tertiary Education Union and the Australian Education Union.
But Higher Education Minister Peter Hall condemned the unprotected strike action and said it wouldn’t stop the government working with TAFEs and other training providers to realise their potential under the Coalition Government’s reforms to the training system.
“The TAFEs’ transition plans show many of them are planning to innovate and
focus on courses that help Victorians get jobs,” he said.
“While any period of change causes some uncertainty, I am confident that Victoria’s training system is responding to the changes well and that we will have a stronger, more responsive and sustainable system in the future.
“TAFEs will continue to play an important role in the system.”
Residents are invited to a community forum at Mt Lilydale Mercy College Centennial Hall, 120 Anderson Street in Lilydale on Wednesday (tomorrow) at 5.30pm for the community to learn more about the issue and how they could support a fair go for the residents of Yarra Ranges and the outer east.