Published Sunday, 25 May, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Innisfail TAFE set to become new learning hub
The Bligh Government proposes to create a visionary new education and training precinct at Innisfail, expanding and transforming the Innisfail TAFE site into a $36.7 million learning community.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford and Member for Mulgrave, Warren Pitt, today outlined the exciting concept for the precinct in which high school and TAFE students will share new and re-modelled buildings.
“The re-building of Innisfail provides a great opportunity to bring together secondary, vocational, special and adult education in a way not previously attempted,” Mr Welford said.
“Integrating the high school and TAFE has obvious benefits, at a time when increasing numbers of secondary students are undertaking school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
“Although the proposal is dependent on approval for further development of the TAFE site, it is favoured by the Innisfail community and our Government is strongly committed to it going ahead.”
Mr Welford said that in addition to transforming existing TAFE buildings, it was proposed to expand the campus by 1.15 hectares and add new facilities – including centres for sport and the performing arts – that would also be available for community use.
A new purpose-built Innisfail Inclusive Education Centre and opportunities for adult learning will also be part of the new precinct.
The project, part of the State Schools of Tomorrow initiative, will involve:
• reconfiguring existing TAFE buildings and providing facilities similar to new secondary schools, such as larger, flexible learning spaces, modern communications technology and science and computer laboratories
• constructing a new state of the art Innisfail Inclusive Education Centre which will also meet the special learning needs of high school students
• enlarging the campus and adding new facilities, including an auditorium/music centre, library and sports centre, for use both by students and the community.
Mr Pitt said that in planning the precinct, the State Government had consulted extensively.
“People expressed their enthusiasm for the TAFE option at many briefings and two open public meetings,” Mr Pitt said. “It is anticipated that all facilities will be completed for the start of the 2010 school year.
“The sports centre will also receive a further $2.2 million upgrade so it can double as a cyclone shelter, making it a place of safety for the community in the event of a natural disaster.”
The State Government will be working closely with other agencies, including the local council, in planning how to deliver services to an enlarged campus.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 0419 734 985
Proposal for Innisfail Integrated Learning Community
Innisfail will gain outstanding new facilities for high-tech communications, sport and the performing arts if the precinct project goes ahead.
Visitors turning into a new main entry off Flying Fish Point Road’s eastern boundary in late-2009 will encounter a cluster of magnificent new buildings.
These will have multi-use facilities for the enjoyment of both students and local community members: an auditorium and music centre, a sports centre, and a library with multi-media facilities.
The auditorium, which will seat 300 students, is one of two planned facilities for the performing arts. Adjacent to it will be a covered performance space with informal seating, an area likely to be used for social gatherings before indoor events.
Features of a planned new library building are a multi-media room, where film production and editing can be undertaken; a teleconference room, and a computer laboratory. Each of these facilities will be separate and secured.
The indoor sports centre planned will provide more than a quality venue for student to undertake sports such as basketball, volleyball and netball. It will come with a kinesiology laboratory for scientific testing, as well as a fitness centre.
Linking the ‘new’ and existing campus will be a large open, landscaped plaza where staff and students can relax between classes.
A new canteen, sited just off the plaza and the performing arts centre, would provide for day-time as well as evening catering needs.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford and Member for Mulgrave, Warren Pitt, today outlined the exciting concept for the precinct in which high school and TAFE students will share new and re-modelled buildings.
“The re-building of Innisfail provides a great opportunity to bring together secondary, vocational, special and adult education in a way not previously attempted,” Mr Welford said.
“Integrating the high school and TAFE has obvious benefits, at a time when increasing numbers of secondary students are undertaking school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
“Although the proposal is dependent on approval for further development of the TAFE site, it is favoured by the Innisfail community and our Government is strongly committed to it going ahead.”
Mr Welford said that in addition to transforming existing TAFE buildings, it was proposed to expand the campus by 1.15 hectares and add new facilities – including centres for sport and the performing arts – that would also be available for community use.
A new purpose-built Innisfail Inclusive Education Centre and opportunities for adult learning will also be part of the new precinct.
The project, part of the State Schools of Tomorrow initiative, will involve:
• reconfiguring existing TAFE buildings and providing facilities similar to new secondary schools, such as larger, flexible learning spaces, modern communications technology and science and computer laboratories
• constructing a new state of the art Innisfail Inclusive Education Centre which will also meet the special learning needs of high school students
• enlarging the campus and adding new facilities, including an auditorium/music centre, library and sports centre, for use both by students and the community.
Mr Pitt said that in planning the precinct, the State Government had consulted extensively.
“People expressed their enthusiasm for the TAFE option at many briefings and two open public meetings,” Mr Pitt said. “It is anticipated that all facilities will be completed for the start of the 2010 school year.
“The sports centre will also receive a further $2.2 million upgrade so it can double as a cyclone shelter, making it a place of safety for the community in the event of a natural disaster.”
The State Government will be working closely with other agencies, including the local council, in planning how to deliver services to an enlarged campus.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 0419 734 985
Proposal for Innisfail Integrated Learning Community
Innisfail will gain outstanding new facilities for high-tech communications, sport and the performing arts if the precinct project goes ahead.
Visitors turning into a new main entry off Flying Fish Point Road’s eastern boundary in late-2009 will encounter a cluster of magnificent new buildings.
These will have multi-use facilities for the enjoyment of both students and local community members: an auditorium and music centre, a sports centre, and a library with multi-media facilities.
The auditorium, which will seat 300 students, is one of two planned facilities for the performing arts. Adjacent to it will be a covered performance space with informal seating, an area likely to be used for social gatherings before indoor events.
Features of a planned new library building are a multi-media room, where film production and editing can be undertaken; a teleconference room, and a computer laboratory. Each of these facilities will be separate and secured.
The indoor sports centre planned will provide more than a quality venue for student to undertake sports such as basketball, volleyball and netball. It will come with a kinesiology laboratory for scientific testing, as well as a fitness centre.
Linking the ‘new’ and existing campus will be a large open, landscaped plaza where staff and students can relax between classes.
A new canteen, sited just off the plaza and the performing arts centre, would provide for day-time as well as evening catering needs.