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Positive Step Forward For Education Hub: Ingram

Redevelopment of the Bairnsdale Secondary College and the creation of a regional education hub in Bairnsdale have taken a giant leap forward

By Craig Ingram - 7th August 2009 - Back to News

With the Minister for Education, Bronwyn Pike, committing to fund the planning stage for redevelopment of the college.

A meeting was convened with the Minister last week by the Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, who is chair of a steering committee seeking to develop an education hub in Bairnsdale. The committee comprises representatives from Bairnsdale Secondary College, local kindergartens, TAFE, East Gippsland Shire Council, Gippsland East Local Learning and Employment Network (GELLEN) and other education providers from throughout the region.

"The meeting was positive, with the Minister committing to fund the planning stage for redevelopment of Bairnsdale Secondary College," Mr Ingram said.

"This is a major step forward for the college, with the school council and college staff pushing for redevelopment of the buildings for some years.

Principal of Bairnsdale Secondary College, Mr Jim Rowley, said the college has been working closely with other educational providers to develop a strategic plan for education provision in the region and creating of an educational hub located around the current college campus site.

"The Minister's strong support for this project is welcomed by the college and will now allow further detailed planning to proceed," Mr Rowley said.

"In making this commitment, the Minister acknowledged the work which had already been undertaken by the council and the staff of the college and commented favourably on the school’s readiness to progress the issue further."

Craig Ingram said that several current education providers in Bairnsdale are located in buildings that are in need of major renovation.

"Bairnsdale Secondary College and the Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre are located on 93 acres bounded by Wallace, McKean, Calvert and Victoria streets," Mr Ingram said.

"Westdale Kindergarten and the East Gippsland Specialist School are also already located on this land, and TAFE has a number of buildings already utilised on the large site.

"Several meetings have been held this year to discuss the requirements of current education providers such as kindergartens, primary, secondary, TAFE and adult education, with a view to consolidating their needs in new facilities located in the one precinct.

"There have also been discussions about some facilities being made available for use by community groups.

"A precinct would provide the opportunity to move to new buildings and the size of the proposed site means that these groups can still maintain their separate identities.

"While this vision may be unique to Bairnsdale, there are various models operating in the state that demonstrate that a project of this type does work well.

"All parties agreed that the priority in creation of an education hub was redevelopment of facilities at Bairnsdale Secondary College," Mr Ingram concluded.

The Minister was briefed on the education hub project, which has resulted in parties signing a concept paper

.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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