Construction starts on creative industries hub in Geraldton

  • $4 million upgrade at Central Regional TAFE’s Geraldton campus underway
  • Refurbishment of visual arts building to deliver creative industries hub
  • Locally designed and constructed, supporting about 200 workers
  • Part of the McGowan Government’s record TAFE infrastructure investment in WA
  • McGowan Government’s Lower Fees, Local Skills courses up 32 per cent on last year in the Mid-West 
  • A dynamic hub for creative industries training in Geraldton is a step closer, with construction underway on a $4 million upgrade at Central Regional TAFE.

    The ageing visual arts building will be extended and refurbished, creating modern art studios, classrooms and a technology centre for the region’s budding fashion designers, media specialists and artists.

    The modern amenities will deliver training for fashion and textiles, jewellery-making, paint and ceramics, photography, multimedia and graphic design.

    The project was designed by local architecture firm Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects and is being built by local company Crothers Construction, employing around 200 workers.

    The project is expected to be completed in mid-2022, with training to commence in Semester 2.

    The upgrade is part of the McGowan Government’s record $184.3 million investment to fund essential infrastructure upgrades to the State’s TAFE network.

    The McGowan Government’s Lower Fees, Local Skills program is providing more opportunities for people in the Mid-West region to gain a new skill or reskill.

    Enrolments in Lower Fees, Local Skills TAFE courses across the Mid-West have increased by 32 per cent this year, compared to the same time last year.

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “The upgrade to the visual arts building will allow students to gain practical, hands-on skills in industry-standard training facilities that will mimic work environments.

    “The $4 million project has been designed locally and is being built locally, and is part of my Government’s record $184.3 million investment in TAFEs across the State.”

    As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

    “The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring all Western Australians can access affordable training, including those living in regional areas.

    “The project is part of the WA Recovery Plan and will create 200 jobs during construction.”

    As stated by Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:

    “This is welcome news for TAFE in Geraldton, delivering first class facilities for students and teachers of creative industries.

    “These new classrooms, studios and technology labs give regional students more options to study outside the metro area and stay closer to home.

    “I am proud to be part of the McGowan Government, investing in TAFE and education in regional WA.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.