UPDATE: La Trobe University has just announced a groundbreaking $5 million masterplan to revolutionize its Bundoora campus, aiming to reshape Melbourne’s North over the next 30 years. The ambitious initiative, revealed on November 12, 2023, envisions a vibrant University City that will accommodate 15,000 residents and support over 40,000 students.
This transformative project is set to create an innovative ecosystem that seamlessly integrates education, culture, housing, and green spaces. Developed in consultation with the Wurrundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, the plan outlines a vast 255-hectare development, positioning La Trobe as a leader in sustainability and research.
Chancellor John Brumby emphasized the potential economic impact of this project, stating, “University City could boost Gross Regional Product in Melbourne’s north-east by an estimated $440 million each year and generate around $202 million in annual student spending.” This massive investment is expected to significantly benefit the local community and economy, making it a critical development for the region.
Vice Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell described the project as “a bold, purpose-built innovation city where education drives everything – and sparks so much more.” The masterplan includes four distinct neighborhoods:
1. **North Village**: Primarily residential.
2. **East Village**: Mixed-use housing and student accommodations.
3. **South Village**: Focused on research and industry partnerships.
4. **City Centre**: Expanding westward with new retail and academic spaces.
Additionally, La Trobe’s vision features more than one million square metres of green, regenerative open space, including the eco-corridor known as Nangak Tamboree. The project also promises upgraded cycling and pedestrian links, along with a proposed suburban rail loop station to enhance accessibility.
The development partner, Plenary Group, is already underway with the construction of an $82 million University Health Clinic. According to Damien Augustinus, Plenary’s Head of Infrastructure, this project will “cement La Trobe as a global university of choice and a sustainability exemplar.”
When completed, La Trobe University City is projected to create over 33,000 jobs, including 3,000 in construction, injecting an impressive $3.5 billion into the regional economy over the next decade. This initiative sets a new benchmark for education-led urban transformation and promises to redefine the university’s role within the community.
As developments unfold, stakeholders and residents alike are urged to stay informed about this significant urban transformation that aims to enhance the quality of life in Melbourne’s North. This is a momentous step towards a future where education, sustainability, and community thrive together.
