VU’s leadership role in the west of Melbourne and the precinct-oriented development of our campuses ensure we are well placed to meet the growing demands in the region for tertiary education participation and vocational training.
Collaborations to build the region
As a proud university of Melbourne’s west, Victoria University’s strong and broad links to the communities it serves go back more than a century. Our campuses are more than just locations for teaching, research and engagement. They play key roles in one of Australia’s most dynamic regions, characterised by rapidly growing population, significant urbanisation, rich cultural diversity, and a transitioning industry profile.
We partner with local governments, community organisations, and businesses to contribute to the region’s economic, social and cultural development. We are committed to addressing regional challenges and leveraging opportunities through knowledge-sharing, cultural enrichment, and advocacy through our research and teaching programs.
Our approach to building mutually beneficial partnerships with councils in Melbourne’s west has informed a growing number of collaborations that build on economic development opportunities of Melbourne’s west. All while supporting our broader goals of social engagement and improved health for the region’s residents.
VU’s role in regional development
In 2019, the State Government announced several major initiatives for Melbourne’s west that recognise VU’s strong role in regional development:
- designating Footscray as Melbourne’s sixth priority precinct
- building the new Footscray Hospital as a world-class health, wellbeing and active living education and research precinct adjacent our Footscray Park Campus
- developing Werribee Campus as a national employment and innovation precinct through our collaborations with key local industries in construction, transport and logistics, and health and community services.
VU created a Precincts, Communities and Government Relations department in 2019 to coordinate and align its activities with broader strategic priorities for the region, now and into the future.
Precinct strategies for Werribee, Sunshine/St Albans and Footscray Campuses will help us meet our ambitious transformation agenda. As a university without boundaries, we provide education and training that connects students to industry and jobs, and delivers community outreach programs that meet the needs of local communities.
VU & WoMEDA
VU plays a key role in the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA). WoMEDA was established by VU in 2017, but acts as an independent board. Chaired by former Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, and supported by key stakeholders in the west, the primary objective is to influence new economic development opportunities and create more local jobs in the West of Melbourne.
Since its establishment, WoMEDA has launched a number of landmark reports, including
- Economic Development Strategy for the West of Melbourne
- Investing in a Health Cluster in Footscray
- Sunshine: Daring to be Great
- and more recently, Investing in a New Hospital for Melton.
VU and WoMEDA also played a key role in the North and West Melbourne City Deal Plan. In an unprecedented collaboration, WoMEDA, along with North Link, the 13 local Councils represented by LeadWest and the Northern Councils Alliance, La Trobe and Victoria Universities, joined forces to develop shared priorities for the North and West Melbourne region. This was a response to the Federal and State Governments commitment to developing a North West Melbourne City Deal in 2019, and they asked local communities to develop a plan for what it might look like.
