Landlord: Andrew Mauderer at his Little Ryrie St premises.
ERIN PEARSON
OWNERS of shops in central Geelong should prepare their disused upstairs spaces to accommodate 2000 extra university students on their way into town, according to a business owner.
Andrew Mauderer said his experience of renting part of his Little Ryrie St premises to students for the past 11 years returned more than just a financial windfall.
“We didn’t need the space for a second studio, so we set it up as a two-bedroom unit. We just stripped it down, polished the floorboards, added paint and put in a heater,” he said.
“There’s been no added stress to business and it works well for security reasons having lights on and people around after hours.”
In May the Independent revealed that Deakin University was prepared to relocate 2000 arts, education, commerce and law students to its waterfront campus. Business and civic leaders believe the extra students could help revitalise the central city area.
In 2009 the Independent reported that shop top living was part of a State Government Central Geelong Urban Living program, while council had a five-year plan for 5000 residents in the city area.
Gartland Real Estate commercial sales and leasing manager Michael De Stefano said disused shop tops could accommodate hundreds of students in central Geelong.
He estimated that over half of the shop tops were vacant.
“Most first-floor walk-ups are vacant and there would be little investment needed to make them viable for accommodation purposes,” Mr De Stefano said.
“Greater population in the city is certainly what’s needed and I think that once shops start offering this I certainly think others will follow.
“There is already a lot of interest in the idea already.”
Deakin University spokesman Andrew Birks said contractors were on site fitting out the Waterfront campus’s Denny Lascelles building as part of the student relocation.
“This will allow the relocation of some administrative and management functions, freeing up space in the John Hay (former Dalgety) building for teaching activities,” he said.
“The second stage, the relocation of teaching and student activities between the Waurn Ponds and Waterfront campuses, is still subject to discussion but would occur over a two to three-year period.”
