The university announced plans to change the plan for the 50-year-old college’s residential buildings last year. 

The decision was made on safety grounds, specifically due to fire safety issues, a UNE spokeswoman said.

“To ensure we maintain the high standard of on-campus accommodation UNE is renowned for, it has become necessary to redevelop our residential accommodation to meet modern requirements and expectations,” she said.

“As the safety issues are in many respects structural, there is no intention on the part of university management to re-open the Robb College buildings as they stand,” and said the university is “committed to preserving as much of what is good about Robb as is feasible”. 

But, landscape architect Duncan Gibbs said the college should be “saved” from the bulldozers.

“Regional Australia is rarely blessed with buildings of such quality and distinction as Robb College, and it would be a terrible loss should the university carry out its demolition,” Mr Gibbs said.

“UNE needs to look at some smart ways of saving the heritage. 

“We would like Robb College to be refurbished and appoint an architect.”

A Fairfax Media poll revealed 71.17 per cent of voters were against the redevelopment of the college.

The college accommodation buildings were vacated in September 2014, and Robb students were moved to the former Drummond and Smith College residences.​ But Mr Gibbs said himself and local architects are worried about the future of the college.

“There has been no commitment other than public statement from the university that they will rebuild the college,” Mr Gibbs said.

“As long as the building still stands, there should be every chance that the decision should be revised, and Armidale Regional Council should impose its own interim heritage order.

“Robb College has state heritage significance, and it must be saved. 

“At the end of the day, heritage is heritage.”