Murray River Council has expressed its disappointment following the Commonwealth Government's decision to decline its application for funding to establish a Country University Centre (CUC) in Moama under the Regional University Study Hub program.
The Council's proposal sought to transform the Council-owned facility in Martin Street into a vital education hub operating under the CUC banner. The application included funding for necessary capital improvements and ongoing operational costs through to 2028, amounting to $1,635,438.
Murray River Council mayor, John Harvie said the decision was a setback, but emphasised the importance of continuing to advocate for expanded education pathways.
"We are naturally disappointed with the outcome, as we firmly believed that establishing a CUC in Echuca Moama would have provided significant benefits to our community and the wider region."
"This was a unique opportunity to reduce financial barriers to education, support local and regional workforce development, and enable residents to access tertiary education without the need to relocate."
CUC Echuca Moama was envisioned as an affiliate of the Country Universities Centre, a community-owned initiative that follows a place-based approach to address local educational needs.
The Hub would offer facilities locally where students can obtain tertiary qualifications without leaving their local communities.
"It's a tried and tested model showing a high success rate," Cr Harvie said.
"Importantly, it has demonstrated that young people who would otherwise have to study elsewhere to pursue their educational dreams have jumped at the chance to do it close to home."
The proposed Study Hub aimed to collaborate closely with educational institutions, industry organisations, and key local employers, such as Echuca Regional Health, to align educational activities with regional employment needs.
"Beyond education, the Hub would have strengthened social and economic outcomes for the region, ensuring that students from low-income families had the support to access scholarships, financial aid, and work-study programs," Cr Harvie said.
Murray River Council remains committed to advocating for initiatives that support education and workforce development and will continue to explore other avenues to deliver similar opportunities for residents.
"We thank our community and partners for their strong support of the project and will remain determined in our pursuit of expanded learning opportunities for the Echuca-Moama region," Cr Harvie said.
