City the size of Horsham to be built at La Trobe University

A $5 BILLION “city of the future” is being planned for La Trobe University’s campus in Bundoora and it could create up to 20,000 jobs.

A $5 billion “city of the future” is being planned for La Trobe University’s campus in Bundoora.

A $5 BILLION “city of the future” is being planned for La Trobe University’s campus in Bundoora.

Details of the decade-long development will be unveiled on Monday as the university and state government commit $1 million each to fast track a scoping study.

HOW HAS MELB CHANGED SINCE 1986?

$50B NEW UNDERGROUND TRAIN TO AIRPORT

SENSATIONAL SECRETS OF EARLY MELBOURNE

The Herald Sun can reveal that the plans include:

a health and wellbeing hub with an expanded hospital, super-clinic, aged-care home and childcare;

residential accommodation for 12,000 students, staff and others;

- a $150-million Sports Park for elite and community competition;

- a research and innovation precinct; and

- a ‘city centre’ with commercial, retail and cultural space.

The university and state government will each commit $1 million to fast track a scoping study.

The 235-hectare site would be transformed into a suburban city the size of Horsham.

La Trobe’s Bundoora campus is the largest undeveloped slice of land within 20km of Melbourne’s CBD.

Under the proposal, the 235-hectare site would be transformed into a suburban city the size of Horsham.

La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar said the campus would become an economic and innovation powerhouse with the potential to create 20,000 jobs.

“The expectations held of universities now are so much more than just education and research,” he said.

“Unlocking this asset is of huge significance to both the university and this part of Melbourne’s north.

“Melbourne can no longer rely only on its CBD for jobs and community infrastructure.

“This is part of making sure Melbourne can accommodate 8 million people.”

The university has begun building its $150 million Sports Park, with the first stage due to open next month.

An impression of what the city might look like.

La Trobe will “contribute” to the $5 billion project but said it will be looking to government and, predominantly, the private sector for funding partnerships.

It already has deals with A-League club Melbourne City, whose players train at the campus, and medicinal cannabis producer Cann, which recently relocated its headquarters to the site.

“There is already a lot of evidence that we will have strong partners,” Prof Dewar said.

Industry and Employment Minister Ben Carroll said the development would cement Victoria’s reputation as having top universities.

“The University City of the Future is a game changer for Melbourne’s north and has the potential to create 20,000 jobs and drive $5 billion in investment in over the next 10 years,” he said.

[e-mail]

@moniquehore