Councillors,

All will be aware of the announcement by the University of Western Sydney that the Blacktown Campus of the University at Nirimba is to be retained and that the UWSCollege, currently located at Westmead will be transferred to the Campus from the commencement of the academic year in 2009.

I had convened a meeting of a number of members of the Save the University Taskforce and other interested parties on Monday, 19 May 2008 to discuss matters relating to the campaign, including unconfirmed reports that the UWS was planning to retain the Nirimba Campus and relocate the UWSCollege from Westmead.

That meeting resolved to write to the Vice Chancellor of the UWS seeking urgent clarification of the University's intentions regarding the Nirimba Campus and to formally ask the Vice Chancellor to combine with the Taskforce to jointly seek a satisfactory solution for the retention for UWS at Nirimba.

It was thus surprising when Council received a call from the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor John Ingleson the next morning, seeking an urgent meeting with me to discuss some recent developments relating to the Nirimba Campus and its future use.

This meeting was held late on the afternoon of Tuesday 20 May 2008 and Professor Ingleson provided details as to what had been decided at a meeting of the UWS Board of Trustees earlier in the week and subsequently signed off by the NSW Minister for Education, the Hon. John Della Bosca, that day.

As all in this Chamber will be aware Blacktown City Council had taken the leading role in fighting the original decision by the UWS to close the Nirimba Campus in 2009. The announcement today that the Campus is to be retained is I believe an indication of the success of this Council's efforts in this regard.

I am sure that all of my Councillor colleagues will agree that the news the Campus will become the permanent home for the relocation of the UWSCollege is welcome and will join with me in applauding the efforts of all those who have been involved in the Save the Nirimba Campus Campaign and the Save Nirimba Taskforce.

However, whilst we welcome the news that the Campus is to be retained, I am sure that all join me in expressing disappointment that the University will still proceed with plans to transfer the degree courses in business studies from Nirimba.

The decision to retain the Nirimba Campus and relocate the UWSCollege is a very important first step in retaining a high quality Tertiary Institution at Nirimba that will be used by thousands of student now and in the future to pursue the educational ambitions. But I believe that we must, as a Council, continue our fight to have a full university campus, offering degree courses, returned to Nirimba.

The UWSCollege will provide access to thousands of local and international students who will be able to undertake Diploma courses, which will be accredited with first year Degree status in some of the most popular courses.

I am advised the University is planning expand the courses on offer at the UWSCollege over the next few years to include a suite of course subjects beyond those currently available at Nirimba.

In this regard, Professor Ingleson and his colleagues will attend the next Policy Meeting of the Council on Wednesday 4 June 2008 to make a full presentation on the relocation of the UWSCollege and its significance to Blacktown City and Western Sydney.

I believe that the UWSCollege will open up opportunities for young people who have not gained sufficient academic achievements to enter University, to undertake courses that will provide a pathway into University, that they would not otherwise have had.

This Council has always sought to work closely with UWS to achieve a positive outcome and this latest decision creates an excellent opportunity to move forward to the benefit of all involved

I am sure all Councillors will join with me in saying to the UWS Executive, please join with Council as a partner. Work together with us as we seek to deliver the best possible educational opportunities to the huge student community located in Blacktown City and the Western Sydney region, in the years ahead.

That Council receive Mayoral Minute No. 267 and note its content.

That Council receive Mayoral Minute No. 267 and note its content.