It took almost a decade of advocating by Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton for the decommissioned Noosa TAFE site to be utilised to benefit the community since it was closed by the State Government without community consultation back in 2014 but last week her efforts paid off.
This long journey, after Noosa Council rejected the opportunity to purchase the site in 2020, culminated in an expression of interest (EOI) process in 2021 with successful proponents chosen, the only hurdle remaining being the finalisation of Native Title processes over the Noosa region, Ms Bolton said.
“After a long, now nine year journey that started in efforts to overturn the closure decision by a previous government, transgress the protocols with the next government, through to the devastation when Noosa Council rejected purchasing the site, our community has lived with the ramifications. The waste of taxpayer dollars as it has disintegrated and been vandalised, as has occurred in other TAFE sites across Queensland that were closed, has been an example of the appalling decisions made by that government at the time” she said.
The successful proponents, who have been waiting patiently for the Native Title determinations to be heard by the Federal Court which has now been finalised, can now get on to bring this site back to our community’s benefit.
“As I have reported over this time, we would get there, and we finally have with the announcement that renowned architects NRA Collective, can commence repurposing the buildings to develop a new Sunshine Coast School of Design offering creative courses including industrial design, architecture and fashion,” Ms Bolton said.
In addition, NRA Collective proposes further consultation on previous feedback from the community on a research facility to care for the local koala population, theatre, and creative public art space and said they were pleased after the long public tender process to have been awarded the site and understood the importance of this to the community.
“Our proposal submitted in 2021 incorporated restoration of the award-winning buildings by the Gold Medal architect Don Watson, developing a centre around the Creative Industries sector of the economy as well as developing a Sunshine Coast School of Design with associated studios, learning facilities and student residential accommodation. We are now able to undertake design development work and to engage with approving authorities, planning and other consultants and potential end users,” said Noel Robinson, NRA Collective.
Ms. Bolton has often said she could write a book regarding this site, as it is a classic example of why bipartisan funding agreements, proper community consultation and public sector reform are essential to end the type of waste and the lost opportunities that result. However, at least this saga will have a positive ending and future, and Sandy looks to the coming months as our community is provided more insight into the vision of NRA.
“The TAFE was one of the reasons I stood as an independent MP back in 2016 when it was closed without warning. This is an example of where Noosa’s priorities were sacrificed for a broader political party agenda and is just one of the many reasons why we need to stay independent,” said Ms. Bolton.
“That we are now about to start a journey on its new potential to deliver to the Noosa community is one to celebrate. However, we should never forget the devastation governments can cause, in ours and other regions across the state, when not listening to communities.
“It was disgraceful and may lessons be learnt from this.”
For anyone unfamiliar with the history of the site, information is available at www.SandyBolton.com/Noosa360, type ‘Tafe’, & ‘Native Title’ in the search bar.
