#PRO: Mt. Gambier UniSA Campus Redevelopment
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:32 pm
From the Border Watch:
University expansion push progresses
08 Mar, 2012 12:30 AM
A MULTI-MILLION dollar bid for an expanded university campus in Mount Gambier has passed a critical hurdle this week after the Federal Government allowed UniSA to proceed to the next stage of a funding application.
UniSA is in the process of applying for a $22m grant to build a "state-of-the-art" learning centre at its present site on Wireless Road West that could be used for a broad range of degrees and other courses in future, including teaching and engineering studies.
Director of the centre for regional engagement Professor Guy Robinson welcomed the "exciting" development and said plans were under way for the university's final submission to the government later this month.
If successful, construction work on a whole suite of new lecture theatres, tutorial rooms and laboratories could begin as early as the end of the year.
"It's an exciting prospect - once it's given the go ahead there should be nothing stopping it," Prof Robinson told The Border Watch.
The university is expected to be notified of the final outcome from the government within three months, with both Mount Gambier City Council and the university expected to commit funds to the project.
Under the terms of the Federal Government's Higher Education Investment Fund, construction of new buildings would need to completed by 2015.
"Construction would have to start next year or as early as the end of this year," Prof Robinson said.
He explained the initial application to the government had been well received, but added there was "no guarantee" it would ultimately succeed.
"We're pleased to have passed the first hurdle," he said.
Once built, the campus would be able to accommodate new courses, including health sciences, midwifery and physiotherapy.
Prof Robinson said the university would also search for industry partners to launch an engineering course potentially tailored to the district.
"We would also hope to do more specialist business courses suited to the region and local industry," said Prof Robinson, who added that Mount Gambier's diverse industries would help launch the degree.
"It will be a new building with state-of-the-art facilities for staff and students and we'd be looking to add new courses and programs."
The tertiary body will potentially turn to the State Government and other parties to push the expansion if it fails to attract the funds.
Tutorial and lecture rooms at the campus were stretched to the limit last year following enrolments.
Prof Robinson said the campus had "run out of space".
"When it was first opened in 2006, they weren't quite sure how many students would be coming in through the doors," he said.
Federal Member for Barker Patrick Secker said he was "proud" after lobbying the government to open the campus during 2005.
"People said it wouldn't be possible," Mr Secker told the Border Watch.
"I'm pretty proud of that."
The federal member said he had included his own letter of support in last year's submission for the project.
"Any expansion is only going to help the people of the South East and I'm absolutely 100pc supportive of this," he said.
"It's essential for students in Mount Gambier to be able to attend university in their own town."
Mr Secker said he still held a vision that the campus could one day be used by international students and for the city to become a "uni town".
"I've always thought there was potential for that and I hope that Mount Gambier ends up having that," he said