By Jesse Graham
BOX Hill Institute could be the taker for Lilydale’s former Swinburne campus, with an announcement about the campus on the horizon, according to the government.
Box Hill Institute Group CEO, Norman Gray, told the Mail on Wednesday 7 October that the organisation had “participated” in the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for the campus, which closed down in mid-2013.
He said the group’s vision for the site was “innovative and exciting”, and went beyond the requirement of opening the campus for TAFE and higher education.
“We propose to transform it into a comprehensive education precinct for the community that truly encompasses life long learning – from early childhood to higher education and beyond,” Mr Gray said.
Box Hill Institute opened a campus in Lilydale at the start of the year near the former Swinburne campus, though Mr Gray did not indicate whether this campus would move to the Swinburne site if approved.
A spokesperson for Training and Skills Minister, Steve Herbert, told the Mail on 25 September that the Victorian Government expected to make an announcement about the EOI process “soon”.
The spokesperson said the government was “on track to reopen the site next year”, and said the government had made a $10 million election commitment to re-open the site for TAFE and higher education.
They said the campus was “mothballed” by the former Liberal Government.
Mr Herbert said said at the announcement of the EOI process on 15 June that classes would be running out of the site as of early-2016.
Evelyn MP, Christine Fyffe, said that she would be waiting for the announcement.
“I’m waiting, I’m waiting,” she said.
“I wish they would, so that the students, who are planning further education next year, will know what’s on offer.
“They have to start making their applications – they’ll be talking to career advisors – it’s all done before exams start.”
Responding to the claim that the former government had “mothballed” the site, Ms Fyffe said the decision to close the campus was Swinburne’s alone.
“The previous government was not told by Swinburne that they were closing,” she said.
“There was no discussion, no ‘please help us’ – they decided to close.”
According to the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)’s website, course applications closed at 5pm on 30 September, with late course applications closing on 6 November and very late applications closing on 4 December – late applications carry heavier fees for applicants.
Change of preferences for undergraduate courses open as of 9am on 23 November, and close at noon on 16 December.
Monbulk MP and Education Minister, James Merlino, said at the 15 June announcement that the former Swinburne campus would also house the Yarra Ranges Technical School, where students from Years 7-12 could use facilities and interact with TAFE and university students.
