MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:19): Our regional TAFEs are making a real difference in their communities. Free TAFE is a game changer across the state, and with significant capital works projects well underway in many regional TAFEs, it is even more exciting for them. On top of our investment at the Morwell and Sale campuses of TAFE Gippsland, we have a pool of regional projects underway, creating jobs and modernising facilities for locals. Last week I was excited to release the concept designs for the culinary school at the Gordon in Geelong. This $23.5 million project includes a brand-new culinary school, a renovation of the much-loved Davidson Restaurant, a new barista academy and cafe, and a new courtyard. The designs look fantastic, and I am particularly excited about the local Aboriginal communities having the involvement that they have had in designing the new Koori centre that is also part of the project.
The release of the Gordon designs follows the recent release of concept designs for the new library and learning hub at South West TAFE in Warrnambool. This is an exciting milestone for this $20.25 million project—a project that the local community is really behind. Like the Gordon, this project will create jobs in the local community. This is even more important in the economic recovery on the other side of COVID-19. And I am also pleased to advise the house that the Bendigo TAFE campus revitalisation project is making great progress. The building structure is taking shape, and importantly the project has created good local jobs. I am proud of this government’s investment in regional communities. We are making them even better.
