Bronwyn suggests ATC for Seaforth site

By Kerri Carr

Establishment of an Australian Technical College on the Seaforth TAFE site has been suggested by Mackellar MP Bronwyn Bishop.

A spokesman for Ms Bishop said that in a private letter to the Prime Minister she asked that the Government look at circumventing state governments by allocating funding more directly to TAFEs.

He said Seaforth TAFE had been specifically mentioned, raising the question as to whether it was possible to establish an Australian Technical College on the site, and if not how could the Federal Government "get around the State Government" to reopen the doors.

"On the Northern Beaches we have a major trade skills shortage and TAFE helps in that regard," he said.

Seaforth TAFE closed in 1999 despite community opposition.

NSW Government-owned Landcom has previously proposed commercial and residential buildings for the land.

NSW Education Minister John Della Bosca told the TAFE Teachers Association's annual general meeting on June 1 he was "not in a position to suggest I'm going to reverse the decision that has already been made, but I am looking at it again -- obviously you'll hear more about that".

For further information

June 2007 contents