Sod-turning marks start of student accommodation project at Deakin’s Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus

The construction of new student accommodation at Deakin University's Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus was marked with a sod-turning ceremony today (Thursday 4 October).

The State Minister for Tertiary Education, the Hon Peter Hall, and the Federal Member for Corangamite, Darren Cheeseman, joined Deakin's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane den Hollander, and Chancellor, Mr David Morgan, to celebrate the beginning of the project that will see an additional 309 beds built on the campus.

Professor den Hollander said the project was important not only for Deakin but also for the Geelong community.

"At Deakin we know how important it is for students to be in accommodation that suits their study priorities and lifestyle," Professor den Hollander said.

"The right accommodation—comfortable, affordable and in a convenient location—is very closely tied to student success.

"The project is also important for Geelong's growth as a flourishing and vibrant university town, with Deakin student numbers in Geelong planned to increase to 20,000 by 2020."

The new accommodation will bring the total number of beds available at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus to 764 and is expected to be finished by the beginning of 2014. It will consist of studio apartments with kitchenettes, ensuite bathrooms and study areas with access to central laundry facilities and include significant common areas and be in close proximity to the University's student support services.

The project has been supported by Federal Government funding of $38 million through the National Rental Affordability Scheme and a Regional Infrastructure Development Fund grant of $10.275million from the State Government. This funding is also supporting the building of new accommodation at Deakin's Warrnambool Campus.

Mr Morgan thanked Minister Hall and Mr Cheeseman for helping launch the project and acknowledged the support of the State and Federal Governments.

"This is a great day for Deakin," Mr Morgan said. "The support of State and Federal government funding for this accommodation project will enable Deakin to meet a critical need in student housing.

"Regional universities and campuses play a significant role in the economic and social fabric of their communities and we know that students who study in regional areas are much more likely to stay in those areas, contributing to the skilled workforce of the area.

"This new project will go a long way to ensuring we can meet the accommodation needs of the current and future students," he said.