The Greater Bendigo City Council has agreed to sell a central site for the establishment of a Federal Government backed Australian Technical College.
Mayor of Greater Bendigo, Councillor Julie Rivendell, said this is an exciting development for the CBD.
“This is a win-win-win outcome,” she said. “It secures the college as full participants in the life of the city centre; aged care facilities currently located on this site can be upgraded; and we can start to bring into reality the vision of our CBD Plan for the civic precinct as a focus for civic and community institutions.”
Mayor Rivendell said the Australian Technical College (ATC) is a Federal Government initiative designed to address the nation’s chronic skills shortages.
“Bendigo was extremely fortunate to have been selected to host one of the Colleges,” she said. “It is a coup that is expected to provide ongoing benefits to the central Victorian region. ATC is aiming to move into its own purpose built accommodation in 2008, when enrolments are expected to reach over 150 students per annum.”
Mayor Rivendell said the land Council is proposing to sell to ATC was originally a funeral parlour, but is currently used by the City to run its Programmed Activities Group (PAG) and Meals on Wheels service.
“This building is not ideal for the purposes it is currently being used for,” she said. “The City has been keen to relocate the services that are currently operating from the building to a better location and improved premises for some time. The PAG and Meals on Wheels services currently provided at the site will benefit greatly if they are relocated to more appropriate premises. The City will prepare a detailed relocation strategy and consult with all affected staff, clients and volunteers.”
City of Greater Bendigo CEO, John McLean, said the arrangement with ATC demonstrates the integrated approach being taken to strengthen Bendigo’s city centre, including the appointment of a new City Centre Program Manager to oversee the delivery of the vision set by the award winning CBD Plan.
“This solution marks an early win for the new approach the City is taking in respect to the future development of the CBD,” he said.
The City of Greater Bendigo will advertise its intention to sell the land and will consider any submissions that it receives.
For further information contact City of Greater Bendigo’s City Centre Program Manager, Rod Duncan, on (03) 5434 6432.
