City of Port Lincoln, Media Release, 4 April 2022

Plans for a Regional University Centre in Port Lincoln are gaining momentum, with the City of Port Lincoln supporting a proposal for a local university hub.

Offering a range of tertiary education options, a university hub would fill a gap in the local and regional education market, providing options for residents to study locally.

Proposed by the Uni Hub Spencer Gulf (UHSG), which has established university centres in Port Pirie, Port August and Kadina, plans remain reliant on funding from the current round of Regional University Centre Program, to assist with operational costs.

UHSG has submitted its grant application to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, seeking funding estimated to equate to about $307,000 per year over four years.

If successful in its funding bid, the City of Port Lincoln will support the centre by providing access to buildings and facilities, subsidised rent, and some capital investment.

This includes access to the land on the corner of Adelaide Place and Hallett Place, with current structures including the former Baptist Church and Manse. Council purchased this land in 2014 with a view to longer term redevelopment, however, in lieu of partner funding for major redevelopment of the site, and Council’s priority focus on other projects, this site being repurposed as a Regional University Centre as part of the central school and education zone is fitting.

If the Uni Hub Spencer Gulf is successful in securing the grant, Council will contribute up to $200,000 matched dollar for dollar by the Federal Government to renovate and refurbish the Manse and provide a modern, compliant and fit for purpose facility.
Subject to future demand, a separate investigation into stage 2 expansion of the Regional University Centre and plans including plans to refurbish the former Baptist Church could be undertaken.

City of Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty says the Council’s unanimous support for the project reflects the need for, and importance of, tertiary education in the community.

“Port Lincoln and the Eyre Peninsula can often seem a long way from many tertiary opportunities in the city. We are hoping a local university hub will change this,” Mayor Flaherty said.

“A local university centre will give students the opportunity to stay, work and study in our community. Travelling to Adelaide or interstate for tertiary study can be an insurmountable barrier for some due to the costs and practicalities of relocating and finding somewhere to live.”

“Not only will this allow more young people to remain locally while pursuing their career goals, it will also positively impact families and our wider community with more of our youth staying to continue their involvement in local sports and recreation clubs, volunteering and possibly even pursuing new economic development opportunities such as establishing their own businesses.”

“Having a university hub in Port Lincoln would also allow others in our community to upskill or reskill without relocating and with the in-person support offered to students at city campuses.”

The university hub proposal supports Council’s key strategy identified in its Strategic Directions Plan 2021-2030, to advocate for greater education pathways and linkages between schools, educational institutions and local industry, and to investigate regional university and study hub options.

“Education is paramount, not just for our younger generations, but for our entire community,” Mayor Flaherty said.

“Distance should be no barrier to education, and we believe this university hub will make our community more attractive and liveable.”

For more information, visit Council’s March meeting Agendas and Minutes available on Council’s website at www.portlincoln.sa.gov.au/council/meetings/ordinary-council-meeting.