By JESSE GRAHAM
LILYDALE’S former Swinburne campus could be the site of the Yarra Ranges’ new technical school, with the government moving to have the campus filled and running next year.
Last week, Monbulk MP and Deputy Premier, James Merlino, said the former campus could be the site of a new technical school promised for the area under the latest State Budget.
Technical schools are set to be established across the state under the budget, with $8 million in total set aside for planning.
Mr Merlino said there “may be the opportunity to locate the Tech School on this site,” and that the government was in talks with Swinburne and other educational providers to try and get the site sold and bring in another provider for TAFE and university classes.
Amie Kanshlo, a former Lilydale Swinburne student and campaigner as part of the Save Swinburne Lilydale group, said there was initial confusion over whether the technical school would mean TAFE and university classes could not be offered at the campus.
However, she said it had been made clear that all three could be accommodated at the site, and said there was relief and anticipation for the next steps.
“If it’s possible, I’ll definitely be relieved, but we’ll see how it goes,” she said.
Mr Merlino said that he expected the site would be “operating in some provision” in the first half of next year, though no plans had been announced for a provider coming on board.
Ms Kanshlo said that, until a provider was confirmed, the future of the site was “up in the air”.
“The future is up in the air until something is done and we’ll figure it out from there,” she said.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe said that an Expressions of Interest process was being undertaken for the campus, though she said it might not draw any results.
“I know there’s not a university that really wants to come to Lilydale,” she said.
“I personally think that the only way the government is going to get a TAFE or a university to come is if they offer them financial incentives.”
An EOI process under the former government last year netted no results, as there were strict criteria on maintaining the site as an educational precinct.
The Mail contacted Mr Merlino’s office with questions about the criteria for the current EOI process and for a response to Ms Fyffe’s comments, but did not receive a response by deadline.
