After years of determined negotiations with Noosa Council and State Government to secure tenure for the decommissioned Tewantin TAFE site, Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton is disappointed that Council has chosen not to purchase the site, however appreciative of the reasons.
“It has been a long hard haul, and after more than two years of negotiations, the decommissioned site had reached sign off stage prior to COVID 19. We have now received Council’s decision to not progress with the purchase which regardless of the opportunities this site presented, is understandable given the impact of COVID-19 on Council’s financial position,” Ms Bolton said.
“It has now been some six years since this facility was closed, and I continue efforts to ensure the site is utilised for the benefit of our community, and thank Council for their commitment to assist where it can in these endeavours.”
Ms Bolton has met with a number of interested parties in the site over the last months, and State Government is currently commencing negotiations with a provider who is very much committed to ‘reimagining’ education and working with community in this.
“Thank you to Minister Fentiman and her Department for the ongoing assistance over this time. COVID and the ramifications of, have created extra challenges, however I am determined that this site will not sit idle nor deteriorate any further,” said Ms Bolton.
“We look forward to making an announcement in the coming month. By state retaining ownership and leasing, the land title issues would not need to be resolved, thereby expediating it’s ‘rebirth’ which I know will be very welcomed by our whole community.”
