Community shares vision for campuses

FEDERATION University has received feedback from hundreds of people on their Campus Vision 2022-2025 document.

This community consultation process has collected more than 500 responses regarding the future of the uni’s current SMB, Mount Helen, and Camp Street campuses, from in-person workshops and an online survey.

Key areas highlighted within public feedback included the need for spaces to be locally grounded, welcoming, interconnected physically and digitally, fitted out for learning into the future, and accessible to all people.

Responses also emphasised a need for opportunities at all sites that keep young people within the Ballarat community for a longer period.

Federation University vice-chancellor and president Professor Duncan Bentley said the Campus Vision is about more than physical spaces, and responses gathered will influence master planning.

“It’s about how we teach, our connection to our communities and how we will drive growth in our campus regions for generations to come,” he said.

“The feedback we’ve received from the community has helped us create a set of principles to guide the development of more detailed campus master plans.

“We are an integral part of our regional communities, and this has been a chance for everyone to help shape how we use our campuses to best serve our communities in the future.”

As part of the original announcement of the campus vision in January, it was revealed that FedUni would gift the Camp Street site to the community for public use, as it was no longer fit for contemporary performing arts teaching and learning.

During the recent consultation period, suggestions were received that the SMB and Camp Street precincts should both be activated more often, to make them more vibrant areas for all to visit.

Members of the public also suggested the Mount Helen campus needs new buildings, amenities and attractions to draw people out there, and give it a brighter atmosphere.