BUILDINGS

The 1977 report of the Tertiary Education Commission for the rolling triennium 1978-80 provided no major building allocation for the University of Melbourne. The sole grant was that for minor works of $350,000 for the year 1978.

Once again our planned building programme remains at a discon- certing halt. For a number of years the University had been working to a programme based on the analysis in the Master Plan Report of 1969. The needs basis of the programme was the overcoming of deficiencies in two respects to University accommodation. The first is the area of obsolete and out-of-date facilities. Several of the University departments, notably Zoology, Music, parts of Psychology and Education, Social Studies, parts of Engineering and Chemistry are still housed in buildings which in many cases date back to the last century, and in all cases are now quite inadequate and out of date for modern teaching. In a number of instances no significant modifications have been made to these buildings for years. In the second area of concern, a number of departments are housed in inadequate space for their needs, and these deficiencies have existed for a number of years. These include Pharmacology, Zoology, Psychology, Economics and Commerce, Law and Educa- tion, parts of Engineering and parts of Arts. Education, for example, is spread over five or six different locations.

The University is now facing a bleak future, with little likelihood of an early resumption of a building programme, with the above de- ficiencies still unsatisfied and a growing need for additional accommodation.

Minor works and site works and services programme

If we are forced to accept this situation then the prime need is for a significant minor works and site works and services programme.

This is essential to enable the maximum use to be made of existing space. The $350,000 provided by the Tertiary Education Commission is inadequate for this purpose. The University has a

list of projects which should proceed urgently in the area of minor works, and site works and services. This list totals more than $1.5 million. In recognition of this deficiency, the University provided, from the limited resources available to it (apart from Government grants) a further $300,000, making available a total programme of

$650,000 for 1978. At the end of 1977 this work was well into the planning stage and some projects were about to commence over the long vacation.

Major projects

For 1977 there is little to report on major projects except for the

completion of several outstanding items.

Pedestrian bridge across Swanston Street

At the end of 1976, it was reported that construction of this bridge had commenced in November, 1976. Although the original funds for the bridge had been cancelled in 1975, the University had decided, because of the dangers to staff and students crossing Swanston Street, that this bridge was an urgent matter. Accord- ingly funds had been provided from University resources. Con- struction proceeded well through February and the bridge was completed early in March, 1977, at a final cost of $230,000. The bridge is now a valuable and well-used asset in the University.

Extensions to the building leased to the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine

This extension, started in 1974, had reached virtual completion at the end of 1976. Although a number of works were outstanding, the building was occupied and a certificate of practical completion was given in February, 1977. The work was fully funded by the Howard Florey Institute through the proceeds from a public appeal in Australia and abroad that achieved a total of close on $2 million.

Minor works 1977

The University had available to it in 1977 grants from the Tertiary Education Commission (formerly Universities Commission) of

$480,000 and to this the University added a further $130,000, making a total programme of $610,000. This budget was expended by the end of 1977, mainly on small projects.

Landscaping

The extensive landscaping exercise which began with the work on the surface of the car park in 1972 was continued at a reduced rate in 1977. The reduction was caused by the severe restriction in funds available and a limited programme only could be completed in 1977. These works included the completion of the area around Engineering (an extensive area to the north remains incomplete), the areas around Old Geology and the Richard Berry Building.

Work had also commenced in Tin Alley and around the Sports Union Building. Planning for future extension of Professors Road north to University House and planning for improvements to the Systems Garden both commenced in 1977, and will continue into 1978.

Union extensions

The extensions to the Union Building have been planned since 1970 and the history of this extension has been previously reported.

Grants of more than $1 million were lost in the 1975 programme

cancellations, but the need for the extensions to replace obsolete kitchens, to provide increased dining space and to improve the conditions and speed of food service remained as strong as ever.

In 1977, planning for these extensions reached fruition, the Buildings Committee, Finance Committee and Council accepted proposals for extensions to the west to include a new servery race, additional dining space and new kitchens. The project was to be funded from the Union budget, including funds in hand. The Cyclotron building was demolished during 1977 after 40 years of use by the Depart- ment of Physics, and this cleared the way for construction to commence.

Tenders were called in November, but while the tenders were being called a damaging delay was caused by the Supreme Court decision restricting the ability of the University to levy general service fees on students. At the end of 1977 the future of this

Union extension project was uncertain.

Hospitals

With the restricted Minor Works grants available, the Buildings Committee was able to make available only $20,000 for minor works at teaching hospitals. Upon investigation, it was found that two projects were necessary to provide facilities for students at the Western General Hospital and at the Preston and Northcote Com- munity Hospital. The Finance Committee agreed to provide a further $30,000, making a total of $50,000. Each hospital was allocated $25,000 for the provision of teaching and locker room facilities for clinical students on their site.

Melbourne University student housing

This project began with a Universities Commission grant in the 1973-75 Triennium. The grant was required to be matched by equivalent borrowing by the University. The final project to be initiated from the 1973-75 grant was the construction of a new three-storey block of student flats in Cardigan Street, known as Holmwood Place. This project was substantially delayed by diffi- culties in obtaining a permit from the Melbourne City Council.

It was completed in 1977, housing only 15 students in place of the 33 originally intended. The cost of this project was some $214,000.

With this project the MUSH scheme achieved 142 places at a cost of about $8,000 per place.

Re-use of vacated space

As already indicated, the major building activity was the use of

minor works funds and departmental funds to carry out alterations

and renovations to make best use of space in the University. Some

projects initiated had been deferred from 1976 because of lack of

funds to carry out alterations. In 1977 the transfer of administrative sections from the Old Commerce building to Old Geology, to the Appointments Building and into the east wing of Chemistry con- tinued. By the end of 1977 the Science Faculty, the Assembly, the Internal Auditor, the Superannuation Office, Graduate Studies, the Staff Associations, had all been transferred, allowing the Depart- ment of Psychology to take over the vacated space. This also enabled some space to be freed in Old Pathology and the Redmond Barry building for the use of the Faculty of Education and the Centre for the Study of Higher Education.

Other projects in this sequence were the Arts Faculty occupation of space on the top floor of Old Engineering and Industrial Science moving from Royal Parade into Old Engineering and Metallurgy, Work also commenced on renovations to Harcourt in Royal Parade, vacated by Industrial Science for Social Studies. These moves enabled Social Studies to consolidate on the Royal Parade frontage in Parkville. This work continued over the long vacation into 1978.

In the Architecture Building, alterations commenced over the long vacation 1977-78 on the top floor in order to rationalise space previously shared between Architecture and the Centre for Environ- mental Studies. These alterations were to provide more space for Environmental Studies. Some consequent alterations to replace space lost on the top floor were also carried out for Architecture.

During the year further repairs were carried out in the Tower of the Architecture Building to make this area safe for use.

In the Baillieu Library extensive alterations were carried out to make better use of the space available for Library administrative purposes, with funds provided from Library operating funds.

Archives

Many attempts have been made in recent years to provide a safe and secure repository for Archives and the Business Archives collection, the holdings of which have been housed in residential

buildings with limited fire protection. In 1977, by use of appeal funds and other University resources, it was possible to commence renovations and improvements to a factory building at 168 Leicester Street, to provide a repository, and to combine terrace houses at 103-105 Barry Street to form an office block for the Archives group.

These two properties face one another across University Square.

Work commenced in 1977 and was continued into 1978. Apart from the Palmerston Street Store, the Archives collection adminis- tration and research facilities will now be concentrated in these two locations.

Major renovations

Maintenance in a number of University buildings has been held at

minimal levels in recent years because of anticipated moves of the

departments in those buildings into new accommodation. With the cessation of the Building programme, a number of these buildings urgently required maintenance and renovation pro- grammes. Two of these, the Faculty of Music building and Old Zoology, received attention in 1977. Over $80,000 was spent in the Music (Conservatorium) Building and some $40,000 in Old Zoology, including alterations to a temporary building on the Recreation Grounds Committee site, which will be used by Zoology for some years because of the acute overcrowding in that Department.

University Square

As reported in 1976, various changes in circumstances, including the implementation of the Melbourne City Council Strategy Plan, enabled the University to give consideration to University expansion in University Square. Some significant property re-arrangements were made in 1975 and 1976 and several properties added in 1977 to holdings in the area. The development of University Square, including Leicester Street and Barry Street, was considered to be of considerable significance by the University. The University Master Planner was commissioned to carry out a separate and additional Master Plan exercise in the Square and its surrounds.

The intention of the exercise was to establish guidelines and para- meters for development of any University projects in the Square, and to ensure that these were consistent with the present scale and streetscape.

Residential Centre — Melbourne Town House

The Graduate School of Business Administration continued to operate in the Residential Centre at the Melbourne Town House, purchased in 1975. In 1977, the operation of the Centre again enabled the capital repayment programme to continue and an extensive programme of renovation and improvement was continued in the building.

Maintenance of external properties

Greycourt. This property, purchased to preserve the integrity of the International House site, required extensive renovations and fire protection work to make it safe for residential purposes. This contract was completed in 1977.

Miegunyah. The future of this property remained in doubt at the end of 1977. The first major function at the property occurred towards the end of 1977; other functions were planned for 1978.

Strathfieldsaye. Development work on this major bequest property

of the late Dr Clive Disher was necessary in 1977. The Interim

Committee of Management proceeded with the re-establishment of

the farm on the 1,820 hectares of property, the restoration of the

historic 1847 homestead and the establishment of the Strathfield-

saye Institute of Teaching and Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences. The first year of operation of the farm was modestly profitable, but capital expenditures, clearly necessary, presented a major problem.

Fairy Hills — the Macgeorge Estate. Necessary restoration and renovation work on this estate continued in 1977 within the limits of the restricted funds available.

Mt Martha. At the Mcllwraith Training Centre for Architects at Mt Martha, students completed the major renovations to the main bunk- houses.

Mt Derrimut. At the Agriculture Field Station some small building projects and further improvements to the grounds were completed.

The future of this property and the terms of the continued lease with ICI were a source of major investigation in 1977. Work on this

problem will continue into 1978.

Werribee. At the Veterinary Preclinical Centre at Werribee some minor improvements to the grounds were completed.

North car park

Development work on the plans for the projected north car park proceeded to a stage in 1977 where the documents were virtually completed. A planning permit and building permit will be applied for in 1978. There are still some remaining problems with the development of the project, including access through Tin Alley and the effect of traffic noise on St Mary's College. Unfortunately there is little prospect of funds being provided by the Common- wealth Government for this car park. The project was always planned to involve major borrowing by the University of about half the capital cost, with repayments from fee income from users.

However, it is not possible for the University to fund the total cost from income from permits.

Traffic and parking problems

The problems of access to buildings in the evenings and weekends, where difficulties are created by excessive parking, were dealt with in 1976 by the establishment of a part closure of the grounds for certain periods. This scheme continued in 1977 with the addition of late gate control on Tin Alley, maintained up to 10.00 p.m.

Energy management

The Buildings Committee established a working group on energy

use in 1977 and this group produced its first report at the end of

the year. The report showed that there have been extensive

increases in consumption and cost over the past five years. The

report recommended a number of avenues to implement an energy

saving programme in 1978.