The Australian Industry Trade College has today announced it will open a new campus next year in the disused research facility once operated by CSIRO at Toondah Harbour.
The location for Redland’s newest school was selected following comprehensive consultations with Redland City Council, Walker Group Holdings and the wider community.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the former CSIRO research site would provide a perfect short-term location for the college, enabling its students to benefit from the site’s past and future.
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“This strategic land was purchased by Council in 2012 after being used by CSIRO as a marine research facility for more than 30 years,” Cr Williams said.
“We purchased it as Council saw its future potential as a vital two hectare piece of Toondah Harbour’s revitalisation.
“Now the land’s six adjacent lots and large commercial buildings will provide a good short-term solution for the Australian Industry Trade College and position it to potentially take advantage of the $1.39 billion redevelopment of Toondah Harbour by Walker Group.
“Council has negotiated this temporary deal with the trade college and Walker Group as the college offers a great service to students in the Redlands.
“Its curriculum offers young people the chance to complete their Certificate of Education while training full time as an apprentice in building and construction, carpentry, automotive mechanics and more.
“Positioning the college at Toondah Harbour in the short-term will make sure our aspiring tradespeople can learn from the most important development to occur in our region in a generation.”
AITC CEO Mark Hands said the site was perfectly located within 1500 metres of the centre of Cleveland, close to public transport, shops and other key amenities important to students and staff.
“The confirmation of our use of the site at 233 Middle Street has come after long negotiations and I want to deeply thank Mayor Williams and the Redland City Council in helping the College establish our first new campus since our foundation in 2008,” Mr Hands said.
“It is incredibly exciting that we will be opening our doors next year and demonstrating just what a difference an AITC education can make, not just to young people, but to the wider communities in which they live.”
Walker Group Queensland General Manager Peter Saba said his company was continuing to work on a range of planning and environmental applications for the Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area (PDA).
He said if the project is ultimately approved by State and Commonwealth Governments and Redland City Council, it will deliver more than 1,000 jobs during construction and an estimated 500 jobs a year post construction.
“We have an impressive development proposed for Toondah Harbour, one which will make the stunning bayside location and gateway to North Stradbroke Island a destination in its own right,” Mr Saba said.
“As we continue work on the necessary planning and environmental approvals for the development, which could take up to two years, it makes sense for the community and college to receive the benefit of occupying these buildings.
“When we build the new, world-class infrastructure, commercial space and housing for Toondah Harbour over the next 10-15 years, I expect there will be many opportunities for the college’s students to put trade theory into practice.”
The AITC is a private, independent school with a learning program developed in collaboration with industry to meet the specific needs of industry.
None of the current occupants in the former CSIRO research site will be affected by the AITC setting up a campus there. BAAM ecological consultants have voluntarily chosen not to renew its lease at the site and Redland Water staff will retain their office space.
For more information telephone 3086 0500 or visit www.aitc.qld.edu.
