THE state government has committed $5 million to boost student accommodation at the University of Ballarat as part of a project to provide 200 new places.The $26 million project would provide 125 places at the Mt Helen campus and 75 places at the university's central campus.The university is awaiting official confirmation the federal government will contribute the balance of the funding under the National Rental Affordability Scheme.However, University of Ballarat deputy vice-chancellor Rowena Coutts said she was "hopeful" the university would secure the additional funding."I think you always wait until the formal announcement is made but I think we've had some good discussions (with) the federal government so we're very hopeful," she said.At the university's Mt Helen campus yesterday Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said research showed there was a shortage of on-campus student accommodation beds in regional Victoria."This ... is a very necessary initiative because for regional students in particular they often struggle to be able to obtain accommodation on campus," he said.Mr Ryan said research also indicated 70 per cent of students who studied in regional Victoria chose to work and live in regional communities after completing their studies. Meanwhile, Ballarat East MP Geoff Howard yesterday called on the government to ensure funding for a new station at Mt Helen/Mt Clear is included in this year's state budget."The local community including staff and students at Ballarat University deserve to know if Mr (Ted) Baillieu will provide the funds needed to build a much needed fire station for this area which is listed as one of the 52 Victorian towns most vulnerable to fire," he said.The Coalition pledged $2.5 million for a new fire station at Mt Helen in the lead-up to last year's election. Mr Ryan said the government would commit to everything that was promised during the election campaign.