Head of campus Robert Stephenson said the new bus interchange, dedicated engineering building and entry plaza, as well as the renovation and extension of the existing library and upgraded lighting on the campus sports field would be completed within the next five years. 

“With these critical infrastructure projects we are hoping to contribute to the city of Bendigo and to break down the physical boundaries between the campus and the wider community,” he said. 

“Part of making the campus more accessible and increasing interaction between community and university is the idea that a lot of people whose families have had no university experience will be given the opportunity  to see what a uni is and does by actually using its facilities. 

“We think this will break down that mystique and encourage more kids to apply who otherwise wouldn’t think of it – as well as mature age people who are looking at a change of careers.” 

The five projects fast-tracked this week form part of a 15-year master plan to rejuvenate the campus. 

Mr Stephenson said, once completed, the projects would both create a central hub of the campus and “blur the boundaries” between it and the rest of the city. 

“At the moment there are a lot of bus stops on the perimeter of the campus but the new bus service will deliver people to its heart,” he said.

“The entry plaza will really give people a sense of arrival and we will start to cluster services around it so that it becomes a meeting place for people and somewhere were the they will want to come and have a look around.”

The head of campus said  a new honours program in engineering was developed after extensive consultation with industry and would drive development in Bendigo. 

Mr Stephenson said the upgraded sporting facility would lead to increased night and weekend use of the facility,with sports from soccer to ultimate frisbee.