Queensland Government invests $26 million at Pimlico TAFE

The Palaszczuk Government is investing $26 million in revitalising the heart of Townsville’s Pimlico TAFE Queensland campus with the construction of the first new building in more than 40 years.

Announcing the redevelopment project at the campus, Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said it was funded through the Advancing Our Training Infrastructure (AOTI) program – an $85 million investment for three years across TAFE Queensland campuses.

“The Pimlico project will continue to reinvigorate the campus and position it as the region’s specialised contemporary non-trade training centre,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The focus will be on the modernisation of learning areas and equipment for students studying hair and beauty, nursing, visual arts and hospitality facilities, as well as general teaching spaces.

“The new facilities at Pimlico campus will complement the modern trade training facilities at Bohle and will create one central hub, making the Pimlico campus more attractive, lively and accessible for students.”

“TAFE Queensland is training our future tradies and our investment is invaluable when it comes to giving Queenslanders the skills they need for the jobs of the future.

“Unlike the Turnbull Government, which stripped out $60 million in training dollars from Queensland in the last federal budget – that’s more than 6,000 traineeship and apprentice places at risk across the state and more than 720 right here in our state’s north.

Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said the project followed the recent $2.5 million upgrade for a new library and refurbished learning spaces, and would also extend the life of the existing hairdressing facilities until the new works were finished.

“The new two-storey development will cater for the anticipated growth in student numbers of up to 20 per cent each year,” she said.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the redeveloped campus was expected to accommodate about 900 students a day.

“At the moment, more than 2,800 students are enrolled in more than 100 courses across the campus so it will just be getting bigger and better,” he said.

The Minister toured the campus and inspected the site and the concept design drawings.

“This major refurbishment is going to make the world of difference to these students’ studies so they will have the skills and training they need for today’s jobs and for those of tomorrow,” she said.

Media Bernadette Condren 0417 296 116