AN announcement on prime central Manukau land earmarked for a south regional campus for the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is being made today.
Prime Minister Helen Clark, Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson and AUT representatives are expected to reveal the development plan for the campus on land formerly used by Carter Holt Harvey, at 640 Great South Rd.
The site has been talked about publicly as a potential south regional campus for AUT since late last year.
A plan canvassed by the Manukau City Council to purchase the property, form a joint venture company and develop it with AUT was overwhelmingly rejected by residents and ratepayers through a public consultation process at the beginning of the year (Times, February 13).
In February, Howick councillor Jami-Lee Ross said: “Three quarters of submitters indicated they were opposed to the idea and we [the council] have listened to them.
“Manukau City Council has made the right decision by deciding against borrowing to fund the cost of a new tertiary facility in Manukau.
“Ultimately the provision for tertiary facilities is not a local government role and borrowing $60 million was outside the scope of council responsibility,” said Mr Ross.
Before his recent illness, Manukau Mayor Len Brown said the council learnt much from the public consultation.
“The community told us that they want to see a wide range of tertiary educational opportunities provided for their children,” said Mr Brown, in February.
“They also reaffirmed our belief that education is one of the keys to Manukau’s future as a successful and progressive city.
“Throughout our discussions with AUT, it was clear that AUT’s committed to working with us and with MIT [Manukau Institute of Technology] to ensure that the joint AUT/MIT campus that has been proposed for the Manukau city centre will go ahead.”
