- Published:
- Wednesday 16 December 2015
The Andrews Labor Government is continuing its support in restoring TAFE and higher education to Lilydale with an additional $10 million for Box Hill Institute to fast-track the new Children’s Centre and Biosecurity Centre of Excellence.
Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert joined Minister for Education James Merlino and Minister for Children and Families Jenny Mikakos at the Lilydale campus to make the announcement.
This additional $10 million is on top of the $10 million already committed by the Labor Government to reopen the site which was closed under the former Government in 2013.
The new money will be used to strengthen Box Hill’s education provision on the site and will be used to fast-track an Integrated Children’s Centre and a Biosecurity Centre of Excellence and Research.
The Children’s Centre will include kindergarten programs for children in the year before school, long day care, maternal and child health services and family services.
It will allow members of the community to access training who might otherwise miss out because they have young children.
The Centre of Excellence for Food and Water Biosecurity will deliver high standards of biosecurity research, innovation and learning.
The visit was also used to announce the new name for the former Swinburne Lilydale site, The Lilydale Lakeside Campus. The name was the successful entrant following a public naming competition.
Classes will return to the site for 2016 with Box Hill Institute working in partnership with Deakin University and William Angliss Institute to deliver outstanding education in the Yarra Valley.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“This $10 million injection of Andrews Labor Government funding will allow Box Hill to fast-track education provision at the Lilydale Campus and allow the Yarra Valley community to access quality training close to home.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education and Member for Monbulk James Merlino
“It’s a credit to the community that this campus is reopening. Without the hard work of the community we might not be here today.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Children and Families Jenny Mikakos
“Early childhood development is a key part of our commitment to make Victoria the Education State. Access to quality early childcare services is important for parents who are studying and raising children at the same time.”