SuniTAFE keeps up funds push

MILDURA’s SuniTAFE was unsuccessful in its bid to upgrade its SMARTfarm facilities in the state budget, but have said they will continue to advocate for funding.

The TAFE campus at Cardross had hoped to secure $10 million in state government funding for a state-of-the-art teaching facility, function centre and updated farm infrastructure.

“Our future plans for the SuniTAFE farm remain the same,” SuniTAFE chief executive Geoff Dea said.

Mr Dea said that while the campus was not yet in a position to update the facilities, the unsuccessful bid would have no impact on training delivery.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper backed the campus upgrade, and said that the SuniTAFE was one of the best examples nationally of a teaching facility working with local agriculture.

“Our region contributes more than $3 billion a year to the economy,” she said.

“We punch above our weight and SuniTAFE punches above its weight … in its absolute willingness to be at the cutting edge of new crops and new techniques.”

A Victorian government spokesperson stated that SuniTAFE’s SMART Farm training model had previously received $12 million as part of the Victorian Government’s investment in TAFE and skills-based education, and that the government remained committed to ensuring primary producers could access the technology and training needed for the future of farming in Sunraysia.

“We’ll continue to work closely with SuniTAFE and provide the support they need to continue delivering high quality education,” they said.

The budget included $72.4 million for TAFE campus upgrades, including $60 million to redevelop the Bendigo Kangan Institute Broadmeadows campus and $10.7 million to redevelop the GOTAFE Shepparton campus.