State government steps into to save Qld College of Wine Tourism

A doomed Queensland college on the brink of collapse has been saved, along with a precious vineyard.

Winemaker Mike Hayes, whose ‘Vineyard of the Future’ specialises in varieties that will adapt to climate change.

The Queensland College of Wine Tourism has been rescued from collapse through a last-minute state government deal.

Around 19 staff members who were told their jobs at the Stanthorpe campus would be made redundant were told on Thursday they could stay after an intervention by Minister for Employment and Training Ros Bates and Southern Downs MP James Lister.

“Labor left the college without a future, the Crisafulli Government has stepped in to save it,” Ms Bates said from South Korea.

Ros Bates in parliament at the end of November. Picture Office of the Premier

“We will keep the college operating while a new provider can be appointed. The jobs of those working at the college will be safe.”

The $7m college on Caves Rd was a joint venture by the University of Southern Queensland and the Department of Education which owns the land and the building which includes a large restaurant and kitchen, a working winery, a barrel room, a wine science laboratory, offices and a shed.

UniSQ told the Miles government last year that it would no longer fund losses of up to $400,000 a year.

The college is home to the “Vineyard of the Future” planted by Mike Hayes that specialises in growing varieties that will best adapt to climate change.

There are 60 different varieties already planted. Mr Hayes hopes to have 100.

Mr Lister said Labor “failed the district” by failing to appoint a new operator.

“Labor left the college in shambles and should be ashamed, ” he said.

Mr Hayes said numbers at the college dwindled because of a lack of leadership by UniSQ and the Department of Education.