Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (13:23): Late yesterday the vice-chancellor of Swinburne University advised they have offered the Windsor Community Children’s Centre an extension on their tenancy, securing the future of this centre into next year. It is a huge relief for parents and carers in the Windsor community, who I know were facing much uncertainty in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Swinburne have advised that they will enter into exclusive discussions with the City of Stonnington in the coming months to finalise the sale to Stonnington and will seek an exemption from the state to sell the land directly to Stonnington for a price that is less than the current market value. This is incredibly welcome news, as we know that land was gifted to Swinburne by the previous government, so they got the land for free. It is the last site owned by Swinburne in the Prahran area, and it seemed only fitting that it be sold to Stonnington to continue its use for education purposes.

Last month Minister Tierney encouraged Swinburne to extend the lease, finalise the sale to Stonnington and promptly apply for the necessary approvals, and the vice-chancellor has now said these actions are all underway. I want to thank Minister Tierney for her advocacy. I also want to thank Minister Blandthorn and the team at the Department of Education for their work behind the scenes on the support for the kindergarten parents. Happily, the worst case scenario contingency plans were not required. There remains work ahead for Swinburne and Stonnington to finalise the arrangements, but I know that the newly re-elected mayor Melina Sehr has been a tireless advocate for the centre and the council will get this done. My colleague and good friend Josh Burns, who secured $4 million from the federal Labor government to secure the future of this centre, has brought this about. There were tears shed last night. This is very welcome news.