Media releases

A plan to transform Federation University Australia’s Camp Street Campus in Ballarat is being supported with a $350,000 grant from the Victorian Government, to determine the best use for the site, which could become an exciting new cultural, arts, entertainment or business precinct.

The transformation of the 14,000 square metre campus site was highlighted as a city-changing project in Federation’s Campus Vision 2022-2025 launched earlier this year.

The grant from Regional Development Victoria’s Investment Fast-Track Fund (IFF) will enable the University to prepare a business case and development plan for the site.

Federation Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley welcomed the funding, saying it signalled a major step forward for the project.

IFF grants support regional and rural projects to strengthen their investment evidence base by funding activities that support planning and preparation, thereby fast-tracking projects to the investment ready stage.

The business case and development plan will focus on consolidating university operations in the CBD into a Skills and Innovation Precinct at the SMB Campus on Lydiard Street, featuring a new purpose-built Arts Academy, an additional Centre for Business Excellence, a multi-storey car park, heritage building refits and large-scale urban design and streetscape works.

Teaching activity will be clustered at the revitalised SMB Campus bringing thousands of students into central Ballarat every day, creating a vibrant university town atmosphere, and generating new jobs and economic activity in the CBD.

The Camp Street Campus, which currently hosts the Arts Academy, does not meet the demands of creative arts programs. Relocating these programs to the revitalised SMB Campus, will allow Camp Street to become a vibrant heart of the Ballarat CBD.

Federation plans to co-design the new Camp Street precinct in partnership with the City of Ballarat, government, and the community.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Australia Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the Ballarat city centre into a new precinct for the whole community to enjoy and we are excited to have the Victorian Government’s support for the project through this grant.”

“The $350,000 in funding is a major step forward in bringing our Campus Vision to life to create a vibrant cultural, arts, entertainment or business precinct for the whole community to enjoy.”

“The opportunity to provide a cultural precinct which incorporates Lydiard Street, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Alfred Deakin Place, and the Camp Street University precinct will yield significant economic, cultural and social benefits for Ballarat, as the capital of western Victoria.”   

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison MP

“This great initiative at Federation University is yet another step towards creating a university town in Ballarat, making it a destination for students from across Australia and the world.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP

“Camp Street sits in the heart of Ballarat and our investment will further develop a cultural hub and support our joint vision to build on the region’s world-class education reputation.”