Vice Chancellor, Professor John Dewar said the proposed road link would greatly benefit local communities and industry, as well as bring La Trobe University study and facilities closer for thousands of people from across Melbourne.
“La Trobe University welcome the proposed investment in Melbourne’s Northern suburbs, which is a thriving hub of industry and research, as well centre of strong population growth,” Professor Dewar said.
“While the University supports Option A as the most logical route, we are keen to work with the Government on the details of implementation.
“We do have concerns about the possible impact of an unspecified link to Plenty Road. If this link was to use Kingsbury Drive it would cut the campus in two – in particular it would separate our main teaching and service areas from our new $70 million sports park and planned extensions to our innovation precinct.
A major roadway through the middle of our campus would be very disruptive and potentially unsafe for thousands of staff, students and community visitors. We think this could easily be avoided and we look forward to working with the Andrews Government on the implementation of this initiative, including suitable options, or mitigation, for the link to Plenty Road,” he said.
La Trobe University is Victoria’s third oldest University, this year celebrating 50 years since the first students were enrolled. The University’s main campus in Bundoora is approx. 235 hectares and is 35 minutes’ drive north of Melbourne’s CBD.
The campus is at the centre of the La Trobe Employment Cluster along with Austin Health and other major industry stakeholders.
About 30,000 students, staff, commercial partners and visitors come to the campus every week day.
Media Contact: Tim Mitchell– t.mitchell@latrobe.edu.au or 0437 457 780
