After advocacy alongside School Principal Grant Williams, it was a severe disappointment in the State 2023/24 Budget that the advanced manufacturing unit for Sunshine Beach State High School was omitted.

As mentioned in Sandy’s Budget Reply speech, with the master plan for this school completed, to not get started does not make sense as students are being turned away for training in the AM.  As we have no TAFE, it is especially important to ensure alternatives for training and job pathways are provided, which this unit does. The importance of ensuring funds are available for this in the next budget cannot be underestimated.

Following on from the speech, Sandy asked a ‘Question Without Notice‘ to the Minister for Education:

The question was (in italics):

With reference to Noosa losing both its TAFE and a local University Campus and many of our youth relying on school-based training— Will the Minister advise why a much-needed expansion of the Advanced Manufacturing Unit for Sunshine Beach State High School has not been included in this Budget given it is critical for developing students, providing future educational and work opportunities and advancing green industries?

The Minister’s response was as below (in italics):

In October 2022, a master planning exercise was completed at Sunshine Beach State High School, which considered various departmental priorities for the school.

Master plans are high level concept documents that are used to guide development or expansion in schools, to most effectively utilise available space and meet the specific needs of the school and its community. A master plan does not constitute a funding commitment for any projects identified as part of this planning process.

However, as part of this master planning exercise, an upgrade to the existing Manual Arts Block to create an Advanced Manufacturing Hub/Trade Training Centre with a new loading bay and annex, is one of the projects considered for Sunshine Beach State High School. When considering new infrastructure projects, such as an upgrade to the existing Manual Arts Block, the Department of Education works with school principals to develop its list of priorities through a School Strategic Infrastructure Plan (SSIP).

SSIP proposals are required to be submitted for consideration and assessed through a prioritisation process to ensure the highest needs across the State are met. This process is used to develop the department’s short, medium and long-term investment priorities, which are subject to funding approval.

Sunshine Beach State High School has identified the need for an upgrade to the existing Manual Arts Block as the top priority on its SSIP. Currently, the school utilises a Senior Workshop in the Manual Arts Block to deliver Advanced Manufacturing Unit classes, for example, manufacturing and engineering.

Further information

Further direct advocacy regarding this can be directed to the QLD Minster for Education via education@ministerial.qld.gov.au and please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

Regarding the Decommissioned Tafe site in Tewantin, the long-awaited Native Title determinations have been delayed again, potentially until next year. For the Noosa 360 history on this, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Decommissioned+Tafe+site