Sarina Shire Council, in a joint effort with the community, a local high school and local businesses, has developed the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Rural and Agricultural Education. The centre aims to address major social economic issues in the Shire.
Major issues include youth disengagement, declining rural production, fast dwindling numbers of farmers with little hope for renewal, a large number of unemployed young and mature aged people, and critical skill shortages in agricultural and related industries.
The aim of the centre is to provide training facilities for the whole community, developing to become a centre for lifelong learning. The main objectives are to:
- re-educate farming communities
- trial various rural enterprises for technical and economic viability
- showcase new and innovative agricultural, horticultural and aquaculture practices
- create a tourism destination to showcase native fruits and vegetables
- provide training for new rural businesses.
As a major community entity, the centre has established links with professional bodies such as Mackay TAFE, the Burdekin Agricultural College and the Cane Growers Association Employers Group, for necessary technical back up.
The project has been a major success story, with the centre taking out the Innovation in Regional Development Category (Council under 15,000 ratepayer base) in the 2005 National Awards for Local Government.
