Commitment to setting up Peel TAFE centre reaffirmed

6/7/93

Education, Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore has re-affirmed the Coalition Government's commitment to establishing a Peel College of TAFE.

Mr Moore said the Government's goal was to have a Peel TAFE college commence the first intake of students in February, 1996.

"There is a growing demand for vocational education and training in the Peel region, which must be met," the Minister said.

"I have been working with my Liberal colleagues, Roger Nicholls, the Member for Mandurah and Arthur Marshall, the Member for Murray, in pursuing the plans for this TAFE development."

Mr Moore said the process of evaluation of the proposed Ravenswood site had moved to the next phase along lines established by the previous Minister.

The Ravenswood site, nominated by independent consultants in January, was given approval by the former Minister responsible, pending confirmation of soil types, drainage requirements and assessments by other Government bodies.

"I have just received an engineer's assessment of the site, which has acknowledged concerns about drainage and related site costs, and have now referred the proposal to the Environmental Protection Authority," Mr Moore said.

The engineers' report was commissioned by the Building Management Authority to examine issues such as site characteristics, development costs and environmental aspects.

The Minister said the EPA review, which was expected to take some months, was crucial due to the moratorium on development, drainage and clearing in the Peel-Harvey catchment area.

"Finances permitting, I remain determined that TAFE courses should be available to everyone across the State and that facilities will be located in areas where there is particular need," he said.

"We cannot, however, ride rough-shod over the proper system of checks and balances which are well established in this State."

Media contact: Ross Storey 321 1444 / 222 9595