Key south-west stakeholders are urging Deakin University to stay in Warrnambool.
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Prominent south-west employers, residents and community groups joined forces on Thursday, calling on Deakin to honour its commitment to Warrnambool and regional education.
The Great South Coast Group was joined by Commerce Warrnambool, Lyndoch Living, Maddens Lawyers, Northeast, Stockdale and Leggo, Sinclair Wilson, South West Healthcare, Glenelg Shire and South West Local Learning and Employment Network and other professionals.
The group has strongly backed keeping Deakin in the city, saying the university should reinvest in the campus and continue implementing its 2020 strategy.
They will write to the university chancellor and regional, state and federal politicians, calling on Deakin to reinvest in the campus and broaden course offerings. Plans are also under way for a state-wide regional forum.
Group chairman and Moyne Shire mayor Colin Ryan said he hoped the forum would determine an advocacy position.
“We’re not on our own but we believe regional communities should fight for the future of local education,” he said. “The region, particularly our young people, would be disadvantaged if Deakin wasn’t at Warrnambool.”
Cr Ryan said he had also joined the Warrnambool Tertiary Education Community Committee and would advocate for the local government areas in the region.
“We are fully supportive of what they are doing,” he said.