‘Hand it back’: Elmes pleads for TAFE campus

NOOSA MP Glen Elmes has called for action to be taken over the closed Noosa TAFE campus saying it should be turned over to local government.
Mr Elmes asked Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D’Ath in Parliament on Friday 18 February for a breakdown of the operating costs of the TAFE campus since its closure in June 2014, and said the costs totalled over $88,900.
“I specifically asked for a breakdown of costs, including council rates, electricity and water, maintenance costs for buildings and grounds, employee and security costs. In this seven-month period the costs totalled $88,900,” Mr Elmes said.
Ms D’Ath said regular maintenance and security of the site, plus rates, water and electricity added to the ongoing costs associated with the closed site.
These comments come as the Queensland Government implements a review into TAFEs across the state in the 10-year Strategic Training Asset Management Plan (STAMP).
“Future use of the Noosa TAFE site is being considered within the development of the STAMP,” Ms D’Ath said.
“The STAMP will establish a framework for long-term asset managements, investments plans and funding requirements, with a view to improving the use of the training assets.”
However Mr Elmes said he wants the Noosa campus to be left out of the review.
“I know the Labor Government is conducting a review into TAFE and I have been at pains to point out to the Attorney-General that this collection of buildings should not be included in this review,” he said.
“Courses continue to be conducted in Noosa, with The J being utilised for this purpose. TAFE themselves have told me that they have no interest in going back to the site.
“The Attorney-General understands my concerns and that the community wishes to see this facility be returned to local ownership so that training for local job opportunities can be established.
“In my correspondence with Yvette D’Ath, and in our conversations on this matter, I know she is interested in doing the right thing. My challenge is to convince her to act sooner rather than later, before the buildings fall into complete disrepair.”
The Noosa TAFE College closed in June 2014 after student numbers had fallen from 714 in the 2006/07 year to 265 students in the 2013/14 year. Of those students, 40 were from local high schools and did not attend classes on campus.