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News & Updates

 Collective Consultation on interior design (20th June 2024)

On June 20th, 2024, representatives of the union collectives were invited to a consultation meeting with the architects to discuss various aspects of their proposed collective space after the redevelopment. However, these discussions are relatively advanced, and the general layout of the redevelopment plan has been largely agreed upon.

To summarise layout:​​

  • The extensions of Building 21C (where the Uni Bike Shop, Casson IT, and all the collectives are currently located) will be demolished to widen the pathway into campus

  • Building 21A South will be refurbished to house the collectives

  • Building 21A North (current UQU executive offices) will be demolished and reclaimed by a grass lawn previously known as the 'The Forum' where students may gather.

  • The UQU executive office will move from Building 21A North to the original sections of Building 21C

  • Building 21D (the Relaxation Block/former student services building) will be demolished and replaced with a new building for collaborative/common student space. 

  • The refectory building (food stalls and main course) will be renovated, and the commercial kitchen for the kampus kitchen will be reduced in the current proposal.

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Some Issues that have been flagged from the meeting

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Privacy:

Some issues were raised around the exposure of the entry points of these equity spaces. There is concern that some students are at risk of being identified and 'outed' upon entering or leaving these spaces. Addressing this issue is central to UQ's commitment of: "It must remain true to its original intent" which historically includes protecting minorities from discrimination and persecution.

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Storage space:

The proposed redevelopment plan layout appears to have significantly less storage space for supplies and equipment often used in events, etc.  

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Size of space and facilities:

The overall building space of the UQ Union appears, including the space of each collective. 

Last Communication from UQ (1st May 2024)

After the 30th of April UQ Senate meeting, UQ's Deputy Chief Operating Officer reached out to UQU President, Angus McRae with the following communication:

“We appreciate the challenges associated with wholesale decant for both the Union and for the University. The scale of the Union’s operations is very difficult for the University to absorb elsewhere on the St Lucia campus that does not result in significant disruptions to the Union’s commercial and student services and material additional cost to the University to support temporary relocation of activities (which take away from the investment in the refurbishment itself).

 

For a range of reasons, including seeking to minimise disruptions to the Union’s operations, the University will be adopting a more staged approach to the delivery of the Union Complex redevelopment – planning is underway and various options are currently being explored to identify the best way/s to deliver a staged program of work in terms of:

  • construction feasibility,

  • seeking to minimise and localise decants for the Union, and

  • delivering value for money.
     

The thinking is not sufficiently matured to be engaging with the Union on what the staging might look like.  Various options are being thoroughly investigated from a construction feasibility perspective and it would be unhelpful to draw the Union into these discussions until feasibility of options is better understood.  The timeframes referenced in the Senate paper remain for presentation to the Steer Co, Senate Sub-Committee and Senate and we plan to consult with the Union on the revised approach prior to these formal meetings.”

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Context:

Prior to this correspondence, UQ had proposed relocating the UQ community from the Union Complex for the entire duration of the redevelopment, approximately three years. The proposal was widely regarded as disruptive and unreasonable for the community.

 

Consequently, the Semper Floreat commissioned a thorough investigation of the redevelopment proposal's issues and reached out to the local community, including a few state and federal MPs. Their findings were compiled in the 2nd print edition for 2024, which was provided to every member of the UQ Senate and UQ executive present at the 30th of April meeting. 

The UQ Union unexpectedly received official word of a 'change of heart' in its approach to the decant on May 1, 2024. While UQ has taken the initial step to acknowledge the discontent within the UQ community, the specifics of a new arrangement remain sparse. Until a formal proposal is presented in writing, these are merely words without any guarantee of concrete action.

 

What we should be concerned about:

Despite having the finalised redevelopment design plan in its hands, UQ has opted not to pursue broader consultation beyond its redevelopment steering committee. Why is the university insisting on the UQ Union maintaining confidentiality during the negotiations of terms and agreements?

When will they tell the rest of us what's really going on?   

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