By JESSE GRAHAM
A CAMPAIGN to keep the Yarra Ranges Shire offices out of Lilydale’s former Swinburne Campus has kicked off, but the council insists that it can operate alongside an education provider.
The idea was put forward recently by the Yarra Ranges Council to relocate their offices to Swinburne’s Lilydale site, due to a lack of interest from education providers in the site.
The announcement was met with backlash and a small group of protestors assembled at the campus on Friday 14 June for a demonstration against the campus closure and potential sale.
Around 15 people turned out to the event and National Tertiary Education Union industrial officer Josh Cullinan said the idea of council moving to the campus caused “quite a bit of disappointment”.
“People have said very strongly this is not what they wanted,” he said. “It’s important it stays an education campus for the future.
“Once it’s zoned away, we lose it forever.”
Yarra Ranges CEO Glen Patterson insists that it’s possible for the council to move to the campus and have education continue there.
“It is very clear to Council that the education sector is not interested in taking on the existing assets in their entirety,” Mr Patterson said.
“One recent business case, developed by an education provider, indicates they would only need part of the existing infrastructure to deliver programs now and for the foreseeable future.
“Any significant planning we do will be based on this identified preference.”
Lilydale Campus Chair for Swinburne’s Student Union Amie Watson said that she thinks the council operating out of the campus would discourage future education providers.
“I’m concerned that the precinct wouldn’t be taken over by other education providers,” she said.
“With the council there, it would be strange to have them side-by-side.”
Mr Patterson said the council moving onto the campus could provide an opportunity to create a master plan for a civic or community precinct with an active TAFE or university facility on site.
“Without the council’s political and financial intervention, that won’t happen,” he said.
Classes ceased at the Lilydale Swinburne campus on Friday 21 June and the campus is set to close on Monday 1 July.
