REPRESENTATIVES from the region’s peak advocacy group will seek federal support in a visit to Canberra on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Great South Coast Group chairman Colin Ryan has called on the federal government to do all it could to ensure the region retained a university campus.
“During our visit to Canberra on Wednesday, we will be seeking urgent talks with Education and Training Minister, Senator Simon Birmingham,” Cr Ryan said.
“If we lose the university campus, we not only lose about 100 jobs and around $50 million from our regional economy – our young people will lost the option to study close to home.
“We will lose even more young people as they leave to study elsewhere.”
Cr Ryan’s quest comes after Friday’s revelations that Deakin University is seeking another provider to take over its Warrnambool campus.
Vice Chancellor Jane den Hollander told staff Deakin had talked with at least one other university about taking on courses at Sherwood Park in the wake of declining enrolments.
Closing the campus or boosting student numbers are also options.
"We have the lowest education attainment rates in Victoria and we need to do all that we can to ensure that Warrnambool retains its university campus, regardless of which university is operating that campus,” Cr Ryan said.
Cr Ryan urged all concerned Great South Coast residents to attend the public forum planned for Warrnambool’s Lighthouse Theatre on Friday from 6pm.
“We need as many people there as we can to demonstrate our regional community’s absolute commitment to ensuring we retain our university campus,” he said.
“We owe it to our young people.”