Student beds to fill ‘desperate’ need

By Michelle Herbison
A $48 million project to boost Deakin University Waurn Ponds campus student accommodation by more than 300 beds began construction this week.
A spokesperson for Deakin University said the single-occupancy studio apartments would fill a “desperate” need since this year 700 students applied for the 259 available on-campus beds.
Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said the new apartments would support a planned increase in student numbers to 20,000 by 2020.
“The project is important for Geelong’s growth as a flourishing and vibrant university town,” she said.
Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman said Federal Government’s $38 million contribution as part of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) would keep rental at 20 per cent below market rates.
“We know that the lack of rental properties around this part of Victoria push up the prices of accommodation to levels that are out of reach for many of our best and brightest students,” Mr Cheeseman said.
Mr Cheeseman said students could live in the new apartments by 2014.
“Importantly, the campus incorporates green technology including solar panels and hot water systems, vertical screens for sun control as well as cycle ways which will link to nearby shops,” he said.
State Higher Education Minister Peter Hall said the accommodation would support expansion of tertiary opportunities in Geelong.
Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus would soon be home to a new $255 million Epworth teaching hospital and a $102.8 million carbon fibre research facility.
“By investing more than $10 million in this project, the Coalition Government is not only acting to address local accommodation shortages for students living away from home, but also supporting the local economy,” Mr Hall said.
He said research showed regional students’ largest barrier to study was the cost of living away from home.
Member for South Barwon Andrew Katos said research showed about 70 per cent of students who studied in regional Victoria chose to live and work locally after their studies.
“This important project will also deliver a number of positive flow-on effects for our regional communities,” he said.
The Deakin spokesperson said the project would create 84 direct construction jobs.