Review into future of Bunbury campus of ECU to be conducted

24/11/97

A review is to be conducted into the future of the Bunbury campus of Edith Cowan University (ECU) to determine whether it should remain part of ECU or be transferred to Murdoch University.

Education Minister Colin Barnett said today that Dr Michael Partis, former director of the Secondary Education Authority, had been appointed to undertake the assessment which had already begun.

Mr Barnett said the terms of reference for the review were:

To consider the relative merits of responsibility for the Bunbury campus of Edith Cowan University remaining with Edith Cowan University or transferring to Murdoch University within the resources currently available having regard to what will best serve the higher education needs of the Bunbury community and to advise the Minister for Education accordingly. Comment should be included on the feasibility of more than one university delivering courses to the campus.

Mr Barnett said both universities had been informed of the review. He expected it would take six weeks before recommendations were provided.

"While the advice from Dr Partis will not be binding on the Government, it will clearly represent a sound basis on which meaningful discussions can continue on the issue and a final decision can be made," he said.

"I have confidence that Dr Partis, with his previous experience in the higher education sector, will provide a complete and balanced report with recommendations that will be for the good of the campus, staff and students and the Bunbury community.

"Each university will be asked to provide a plan for the operation and development of the Bunbury campus for the next three to five years. Indeed, each of the universities would be well advanced with such planning."

Mr Barnett said the review would address issues such as the courses both universities would offer, student numbers and staffing arrangements, financial arrangements including Commonwealth funding, plans for the future development of the campus, its management structure and the involvement of the Bunbury and South-West communities. The Bunbury community would be consulted during the process.

The Minister said he hoped an announcement about the future of the campus could be made early next year.

Media contact: Justine Whittome (08) 9222 9699