Premier Mark McGowan today announced a local Kununurra architectural firm has been appointed to design a new $6 million health and hospitality trade training centre at the Kununurra campus of North Regional TAFE (NR TAFE).
Mark Phillips Architect of Kununurra and Saleeba Adams Architects of Perth will jointly design the facilities which will be used to deliver training in aged and disability care, and hospitality and tourism.
The state-of-the-art facility, part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, will include a simulated training space divided into an in-home care suite and a small nursing ward.
This will enable NR TAFE to deliver National Disability Insurance Scheme training in Kununurra, to meet demand for aged and disability care in the region.
The project also includes a training kitchen, art workshop and gallery for the delivery of hospitality, tourism and cultural activities specific to the region.
The centre will also offer increased training opportunities for local secondary school students.
The Kununurra facilities were announced in July as part of the largest TAFE capital works program in WA history, a record $167.4 million investment to fund upgrades to essential infrastructure across the State’s TAFE colleges.
Kununurra is the largest training delivery location in the East Kimberley region and delivered training to more than 900 students in 2019.
Design development for the new centre is currently underway with construction anticipated to start in August 2021.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“We made a significant investment into TAFE upgrades across the State as part of the WA Recovery Plan, and this project will create jobs and training opportunities for people in the Kimberley region.
“This is a vital project to meet demand for skilled aged and disability care workers in Kununurra and the surrounding region.
“The new facilities will ensure students have the opportunity to learn skills that apply to the local area and will keep them employed in the long term.
“We are providing Kununurra with world-class training opportunities, which will generate a pipeline of jobs and help get our State’s economy back on its feet.”
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“The appointment of architects moves Kununurra a step closer to a state-of-the-art $6 million health and hospitality training centre.
“We are investing in training to ensure WA is well positioned to bounce back as the economy recovers.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Josie Farrer:
“It’s pleasing to see a local architect appointed for this vital project that will significantly improve training opportunities for people across the region.
“Training is a vital component of WA’s path to recovery, and this facility will ensure young people get the skills they need to get decent jobs and continue to support the local economy.”
