Plans to replace scrapped culinary school at Lot Fourteen with ‘hi-tech’ cyber education centre

The state government is considering replacing its doomed culinary school plans, secret documents reveal.

A hi-tech cyber education centre is being considered as the replacement for the doomed Le Cordon Bleu culinary school that was planned at Lot Fourteen, a secret state government document has revealed.

The document, obtained by the Opposition and seen by The Advertiser, reveals the Department of Premier and Cabinet is preparing a submission on the “establishment of a hi-tech cyber and digital technology-oriented education solution”.

The document shows it would replace the planned International Centre for Food, Hospitality & Tourism Studies, which has been all but scrapped.

Treasurer Rob Lucas revealed last month in a Budget Estimates hearing the $60m world-class cooking school that was meant to replace the ageing Le Cordon Bleu facility at TAFE SA’s Regency campus was in jeopardy.

The cooking school, one of Premier Steven Marshall’s key election pledges, is facing “a number of issues”, mainly stemming from TAFE SA’s reluctance to move.

Steven Marshall, when he was Opposition leader, made an election pledge to move TAFE SA’s cooking school to Lot Fourteen.

Mr Marshall did not provide any details on the hi-tech “cyber solution” being considered.

“The viability of the $60m culinary school is being reassessed and we are currently consulting with the federal government about what other exciting projects could be established at the site,” he said.

Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said it was “clear Steven Marshall has broken his election promise”.

In April 2019, the state government commenced a scoping study for the cooking school, engaging Adelaide architecture firm Hassell.

“Hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars have been wasted on scoping studies and other preliminary works on the culinary school – only for it to be scrapped,” Mr Mullighan said.

Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan claimed “hundreds of thousands” of taxpayer dollars had been spent on scoping studies.

TAFE SA chief executive David Coltman said the agency was about to embark on a “master planning process” across all its facilities, which could involve changes to its current cooking school.

“This will involve reviewing and analysing how our campuses are currently utilised, as well as determining how campuses will meet education and training requirements in the years ahead.”

The state government has missed two major milestones as part of the $551m Adelaide City Deal.

In April 2021, a detailed business case for the cooking school was due in order to unlock an initial $2m from the federal government. A project plan was due this month to access a further $2m, escalating to $10m next April for the completion of site preparation works. The federal government allocated a total of $30m for the centre, on top of $30m from the state government

Under the City Deal, when a decision is made not to continue with a project, remaining funds are reallocated elsewhere. The new Heysen Gallery at Hahndorf is also lagging, as the state government is still awaiting planning approval from the Mount Barker District Council.