Vic Uni still hoping for central city development

Layoffs are still on the table at Victoria University even as it remains optimistic of redeveloping decrepit Wellington flats it owns.

The university bought the uninhabited Gordon Wilson flats in 2014, and the neighbouring McLean flats last year. Both buildings are structurally unsound.

In a February newsletter staff were told there was hope that redeveloping the site could lead to ‘‘a world-class facility for engineering, science and research’’.

The university started a feasibility study in July last year and it was expected to be done by about July this year.

Now the university website has been updated to say it would not apply for resource consent due to the economic downturn caused by Covid-19. ‘‘Although the site is currently unable to be redeveloped, it remains an important part of the university’s future development plans and presents a great opportunity for positive inner-city development.’’

Stuff on Friday revealed the university faced a $30 million to $40m deficit due to Covid-19.

Vice-chancellor Grant Guilford said ways to cover the shortfall included staff reassignments, a donation policy allowing staff to donate a portion of their salary to a specific area of the university, a four-day working week, or an across-the-board pay cut.

At the bottom of the list was redundancies and restricting fixed-term contracts.

The university on confirmed its stance changed.

Tuesday had not