Push for university in Hume supported after Victoria University closure

More than 12 years after Victoria University shut its Sunbury campus, the people of Hume are crying out for a university.

The former Victoria University site in Sunbury. Picture: Ellen Smith

An exclusive Leader survey has revealed overwhelming support for the return of tertiary education in Hume more than 12 years after Victoria University closed its Sunbury site.

The poll showed more than 70 per cent of respondents backed a university for Hume compared to just 29 per cent against.

The area has been without a university since Victoria University closed up the Sunbury site in 2009.

It came after Hume City Council raised the issue at its September 26 meeting with Cr Sam Misho labelling the situation as “embarrassing”.

“There are certain suburbs in Hume which are the most disadvantaged in Victoria, to change any of that, we need to focus,” Cr Misho said.

The former Victoria University site in Sunbury had windows boarded up after the closure. Picture: Ellen Smith

Hume has the Kangan Institute located at Broadmeadows which provides pathways to university as well as apprenticeship and traineeship training.

Cr Jack Medcraft said at the time of the closure that Victoria University “ran it to the ground and failed in their duty of care.”

The Sunbury site, which Victoria University operated for nearly two decades, was long been the target of target for vandalism and a longstanding debate over the Jackson’s Hill masterplan after VU departed.