AAM Investment Group’s bid to acquire the Longreach Pastoral College
In an 11th-hour move to return critical training services to the agricultural industry in regional Queensland, a consortium of private operators and major companies is seeking to gain control of the former Longreach Pastoral College.
Rockhampton
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In a last-minute bid to return critical training services to the agricultural industry in regional Queensland, a consortium of private operators and major companies is seeking to gain private control of the former Longreach Pastoral College.
The college closed in 2019, alongside the Emerald Agricultural College.
The closures came after a 2018 review prompted the state government to shut the residential training centres.
The Longreach Pastoral College, which was established in 1967, had since been listed for sale by tender through Rural Property and Livestock and JLL Brisbane.
AAM Investment Group is co-ordinating the effort to acquire the college, with managing director Garry Edwards and members of AAM’s management team travelling to Longreach on Thursday to hold a community consultation session on proposed plans for the 17,211ha site.
The consortium plans to submit a formal tender for the facility by its deadline of February 23.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the deadline had recently been extended by two weeks after considerable interest in the facility.
Mr Edwards said he was committed to ensuring the former college was reinstated as a key source of knowledge and skills development, and a community hub.
“Losing facilities like this leave a gaping hole in the state’s capacity to develop the skills of the workforce required by Australia’s thriving farm sector and took away what had, for more than half a century, been part of the lifeblood of the Longreach community,” he said.
“(We) believe that the Longreach Pastoral College can be rejuvenated to become a trustworthy, viable and intergenerational learning centre... offering a range of certified educational and training courses, while incorporating local tourism activities and educational activities for primary and high school students who don’t have the chance for exposure to regional Australia and our agricultural industries.
Mr Edwards said there was also the potential to use the site for tertiary learning, veterinary studies and research and development.
The consortium’s tender is expected to include the entire stretch of land, including Rosebank Station, modern classroom and accommodation facilities, and other practical agricultural infrastructure.
The public consultation meeting is open to all stakeholders and is to be held at the Longreach Council Chambers at 6.30pm Thursday, February 16.
AAM representatives will be available in Longreach on Friday for further discussions with interested parties.
Email lpc@aamig.com.au to register to participate in the meeting.
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