2018-08-31 Special Meeting Minutes

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                31 AUGUST 2018


Likely demand or need for the site?
Background - why did the TAFE close?
The Tewantin TAFE had a short history, opening in 2006 and then being closed by the Liberal
National Party Government in 2014. It is understood that a key driver for the closure of the Tewantin
TAFE (and a number of other TAFE facilities across the state) was asset underutilisation and an
agenda to rationalise training assets to address sector financial viability concerns at the time.
The Tewantin TAFE in particular had experienced reducing student numbers (approximately 700
down to 200). As a result, courses were transferred from Tewantin to Nambour and Mooloolaba
campuses, and upwards of 25% of the site leased at peppercorn rates making the facility unviable
for the state under the status quo. Another contributing factor was the cost of training courses being
driven down through competition with private enterprise registered training organisations
(introduced by the Australian Government), and the increasing popularity of online training through
technological innovation.
It has also been noted that the location of the Tewantin TAFE site may not have been appropriate,
particularly for undergraduate type courses, as the location is removed from social and supporting
facilities such as coffee shops etc.

Demand Investigation Undertaken
Following the approach from the state, Council’s Project Officer (former Noosa Council Director of
Business, David Thomas) has investigated what opportunities may exist within Council and the
external market for the ongoing use of the site. The investigation canvassed the need for the site
for current or future Council operations, current demand or likely need for the facility by community
groups, in addition to any likely commercial or other appetite to lease the site in an anchor role or
other financially sustainable way.

Potential Council Use
Uses for the facility that could potentially align with Council’s Corporate and Operational Plan
objectives (including adopted strategies and plans) were discussed across the various
Departments within Council. The table below outlines the potential use and comments received.

 Department          Use Purpose          Findings
 Community           Social                  Council’s Social Strategy (page 14) has identified limited
 Services                                     demand for additional community facilities in the Shire,
                                              and going forward there may be a need to rationalise
                                              under-utilised facilities or those deemed to be no longer fit
                                              for purpose to meet the changing needs of the population
                                             Council’s Corporate Plan identifies that a key focus area
                                              between 2017-2022 is to undertake a pre-feasibility study
                                              for a regional art gallery building. Staff advised that the
                                              location of the site is considered not suitable given its
                                              isolated nature, poor visibility, lack of passing pedestrian
                                              traffic and distance from other shire services and attractors
                     Cemeteries              The Tewantin Cemetery has approximately 4-5 years of
                                              capacity remaining. There is some appetite for expansion
                                              of the cemetery onto the eastern side of the site to extend
                                              the life of the cemetery (potentially creating a further 15-
                                              20 years of plot life)
                                             Planning constraints would need to be addressed
                     Waste                   Planning considerations limit any potential usage for
                     management               waste management purposes, and the site has not been
                                              considered with regards to waste management site
                                              planning.


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