LA TROBE University has officially unveiled its renovated and extended campus in Shepparton. This is the result of a significant investment in world-class facilities to enhance the study experience and increase the opportunities for people in the Goulburn Valley to access courses that respond to critical skills and workforce shortages.
The Shepparton campus will welcome back its entire student cohort by the end of February after more than one year of construction.
The nearly $20M Shepparton Reimaged Project, supported by a $5M investment by the Australian Government, will strengthen La Trobe’s vital role in the community as an anchor institution. La Trobe University contributed $15M towards the project.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the development reflected the University’s commitment to improving amenities for students and staff in regional communities and better connecting the community to the campus’ high-tech research and teaching facilities.
“We are committed to enhancing access to higher education, supporting critical workforce demands and providing world-class learning facilities for our students in regional communities,” Professor Farrell said.
“Our reinvigorated Shepparton campus will offer new opportunities for education, research and community engagement, enabling us to work with partners to drive growth and innovation in regional Victoria.”
In a first for Shepparton, the campus now features dedicated research and industry spaces to facilitate increased collaboration between the University, industry groups and community.
Shepparton Head of Campus, Elizabeth Capp, said these new spaces would attract more industry partners and offer students invaluable opportunities for work-integrated learning.
“This will enable students to connect on campus with research partners and members of the community and explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing our region,” Elizabeth said.
“La Trobe’s graduates will not only gain skills that are in demand, but they will also remain committed to our region, contributing to Shepparton’s long-term success.
“Our latest data reveals over 87 per cent of Shepparton graduates are employed regionally – a figure that demonstrates the importance of higher education in rural and regional communities.”
The project involved the construction of a new two-storey building that is connected to the original campus and refurbishment of the existing facilities. It’s future-proof design enables floors to be added so that the Shepparton campus can continue to grow to meet future demands.
Other key features include expansion of the library and the Ngarrapna Indigenous Unit, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can study and access specialised support.
La Trobe’s strong partnership with GOTAFE ensured there were minimal disruption to teaching during the construction period, with students using its nearby classrooms and the University’s portable facilities.
Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) student Bethany Gray said she is pleased to spend the remaining two years of her degree back on campus. Beth said, “The Shepparton campus has always been a welcoming and supportive environment and students across several disciplines are thrilled to finally reunite in a communal area buzzing with passion, diversity, support and opportunities.”
The redevelopment has seen a double of the clinical nursing facilities, providing students with immersive learning experiences designed to prepare them for a successful career in healthcare. This is a welcome addition for nursing students who were relocated to La Trobe’s temporary nursing hub on Fryers Street during construction.
Investment in electric infrastructure has placed Shepparton as the University’s first fully electric campus, supporting La Trobe’s wider Net Zero goal by 2029. The Shepparton campus is now powered entirely by renewable energy, with all electricity generated on site. Other features include:
• Solar panels and electric BBQs for sustainable campus events
• Centralised electrified heating and cooling systems that replace ageing gas infrastructure
• Electric vehicle charging station for staff, students and the community.
“The Shepparton Reimagined Project is more than just a campus upgrade; it is a catalyst for community development, economic growth and educational equity,” lamented Elizabeth.
“By addressing local workforce needs, offering innovative facilities and fostering sustainability, La Trobe is setting the stage for a brighter future for the Shepparton region and beyond.”
