As a review takes place of Charles Sturt University to make it financially sustainable, there's hope the Albury Wodonga Regional Deal could help guide the future of the Border campus.
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Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor Andrew Vann raised the initiative when asked by The Border Mail what governments could do to support the university.
"We understand the state and federal governments have some very big calls to make on their budgets at the moment," he said.
"There are certainly things the government could do that would help.
"Some of that may involve things like the regional deal and some form of capital investment.
"The regional deal may offer opportunities to do things in a different way.
"We're up for a discussion about anything, because we will need to be.
"The asset cost for us is a significant issue, we have a lot of campuses and a lot of buildings, and there are various ways you can think about that.
"You can bring people onto campus, you could potentially move some operations somewhere else.
"There's no decisions at this stage, but we're looking at the full range of opportunities."
But strategies for tertiary education that may come about from the regional deal look to be too far away for Charles Sturt's review.
In March last year, then-Minister for Regional Services Bridget McKenzie announced the Australian Government would provide an initial investment of $3.2 million to support further strategic planning work with the local community.
Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie told the council's February meeting "we are still waiting and dependent on state, particularly Victoria, to come to the table".
A spokesman for Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino confirmed a statement of intent had not yet been signed.
"All three levels of government remain committed to delivering an Albury Wodonga Regional Deal, however each government has experienced significant disruptions resulting from both the bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused delays," he said.
"Three levels of government are working towards the signing of the Statement of Intent for the Albury Wodonga Regional Deal.
"The areas of focus in the Statement of Intent will form the basis of business and community consultation about the specific commitments to be included in the Regional Deal.
"Local stakeholders will continue to be critical to delivering a Deal that the region owns and can be proud of.
"In the near future, we hope to kick-off community consultations to understand the priorities, opportunities and challenges that exist in the region.
"We expect consultations will continue throughout the Deal formation."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Queensland universities are winners in the Hinkler Regional Deal, which was announced in 2018 and will be delivered through an implementation plan signed earlier this year.
The deal resulted in $5 million being provided by the federal government for research and innovation in the agricultural space, including a new "Ag-tech" facility jointly-operated by Central Queensland University and Bundaberg Regional Council.
The construction of a new training facility for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in partnership with CQ University received $15 million, and $40 million went to a Hervey Bay project that benefited the University of the Sunshine Coast.
All three levels of government remain committed to delivering an Albury Wodonga Regional Deal, however each government has experienced significant disruptions resulting from both the bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused del
