The NSW government has denied claims that the site of the TAFE campus in Bega has been surveyed for potential sale.
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NSW Teachers Federation TAFE organiser Rob Long said the federation had been recently informed a land survey was completed at Bega TAFE for assessment of potential land sale.
“Federation has been informed that the land to the north and north-east of the current TAFE campus is being considered for sale,” he said.
“Federation was informed that the current TAFE campus is not appropriate for residential sub division, but may be considered to be sold as a private education facility.”
But a spokesperson for the Assistant Minister for Skills Adam Marshall said TAFE NSW did not have surveyors on site in early September.
“I’d also hasten to reiterate there are no plans to sell Bega TAFE campus, even after the new connected learning centre is opened later this year,” the spokesperson said.
“It's both disappointing and irresponsible that the union continues to attempt to whip up fear in the community about the future of Bega TAFE, particularly at a time when the NSW government has made a $8million investment to expand and strengthen TAFE’s presence in the Bega Valley.”
The spokesperson said Mr Marshall confirmed the campus would not close when he spoke to the ABC.
“I’m making it quite clear as the minister responsible – that TAFE campus will remain open, operational, educating students in the community, even after the new $8million connected learning centre opens at the end of this year,” Mr Marshall told the ABC.
In response, Mr Long said he was not going to get into the semantics of what land surveys were taken.
“I have talked to the people at Bega TAFE who met the gentleman who was looking at the further use of Bega TAFE land,” he said.
Construction has started on the connected learning centre (CLC) which is being built at the site of the old Bega District Hospital and is part of the NSW government’s plan for the future of TAFE in the region.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
