TAFE NSW is planning construction of a connected learning centre in Byron Bay

Ben Franklin MLC said the $6 million facility, which has a development application before the council, would equip students with skills for a range of industries to support jobs in the local area.

Ben Franklin MLC said the $6 million facility would equip students with skills for a range of industries

Construction on a TAFE facility in Byron Bay is expected to begin before the end of the year, it can be revealed.

TAFE NSW regional general manager Susie George, Ben Franklin MLC and Byron mayor Michael Lyon formally announced plans for the facility at council-owned land at Lot 12 on Bayshore Drive on Wednesday.

The institution lodged a development application with Byron Shire Council seeking approval for a connected learning centre to be built on the property earlier this month.

Byron mayor Michael Lyon, TAFE NSW Regional general manager Susie George and Ben Franklin MLC at Lot 12 on Bayshore Drive in Byron Bay, where a TAFE connected learning centre will be built. Picture: Liana Boss

While that DA remains with the council, Mr Franklin said work would begin on the centre this year.

He said the project was a long time coming for the town.

“Byron Bay has wanted this for a long time,” he said.

“Today we’re one step closer to making it a reality.

“After decades, TAFE NSW will have a permanent presence in Byron Bay and it will be here on Lot 12 in Bayshore Drive.

This corner of Lot 12 on Bayshore Drive in Byron Bay is expected to become home to a TAFE connected learning centre. Picture: Liana Boss

“This is something the community has wanted for years and to have a connected learning centre here right in the heart of Byron Bay is terrific.”

He said courses available at the centre would involve real estate, business, hospitality and tourism and health courses.

The facility would cater to “things Byron is known for” while working to “expand … the sorts of careers that can be looked at in Byron Bay”, he said.

“We want local kids to stay in Byron Bay,” Mr Franklin said.

“We want them to have avenues for employment which are going to keep them here and … in a range of different areas.”

Lot 12 on Bayshore Drive in Byron Bay, which will become home to a TAFE connected learning centre and other facilities. Picture: Liana Boss

Mr Lyon said he was pleased to see a site secured for the facility.

“It would have been very easy for council to simply sell this off and realise the monetary gain there in the short term but what we’ve done there is worked with several partners to deliver something that takes care of the environmental values to the west of the site, it frees up some of the southern section of the site to place a TAFE on it as well as some council buildings and it generates an ongoing income for council through the lease of that land,” he said.

Ms George said the connected learning centre, different to a full campus, would involve a permanent building but there would also be a capacity for TAFE to bring in mobile training units for specialised education when required.

She said some staff would be full and part-time at the centre but students would also be able to tap into classes offered across other TAFE NSW sites.

Mr Franklin said this was one of eight new connected learning centres being delivered across the state.