GOTAFE announced last Thursday it will move from its Samaria Rd campus in 2023 to a new location — the former ANZ building on Bridge St.
The state government announced it will chip in $950,000 for the refurbishment and fit-out of the building which was vacated by ANZ earlier this year.
GOTAFE chief executive officer Travis Heeney said he expected the move into the CBD to improve engagement with the local community, while also addressing accessibility problems at the Samaria Rd campus.
“The new campus will provide a much richer student experience and better learning outcomes,” Mr Heeney said.
“The new CBD campus location will provide easy access to public transport, parking, food, shopping and services for our staff and students.
“A part of the challenge for us has been accessibility to the campus (at Samaria Rd) and for some the knowledge that campus is even there.
“That was a main driver for us in relocating and making sure we are accessible to everyone.”
The move will see GOTAFE gradually vacate its existing campus next year and be up and running at the new site by mid-2023, with an exact opening date yet to be announced.
Benalla Rural City Council Mayor Bernie Hearn said she anticipated the move would be of great economic benefit to Benalla.
“I welcome GOTAFE’s move to the CBD,” Cr Hearn said.
“This move will not only benefit the students but also the businesses in the CBD, bringing increased economic activity and lifting the profile of GOTAFE in our region.”
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes agreed, and said the courses on offer at the new campus would address the skills shortages regional communities currently face.
“There will be a more visible central presence to really encourage people to think about training, transitioning and pathways from education,” Ms Symes said.
“The new site also allows for better access for people as well, for those that are familiar with the Samaria Rd site, a lot of people don’t even know it’s out there.
“To be able to have a new fit-for-purpose central location, it’s going to entice people to come and ask questions and seek opportunities.
“The courses that are on offer here will provide valuable employment, particularly in a lot of areas where we know we need more staff — disability, mental health, aged care — a lot of the industries where we know we need more staff.
“A community like Benalla really needs those types of jobs.”
A lease agreement between GOTAFE and Australian Christian College Hume will see the current Samaria Rd site utilised by the college after recent growth in student numbers.
GOTAFE will hold community drop-in sessions at the new site today from between noon and 2pm.
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