NSW says no plans to sell Chullora TAFE site after closing campus

Chullora TAFE has been shut down but the government says it has no plans to sell off the site.

Opposition spokesman for TAFE and Skills Jihad Dib: This is the last thing they should do because of the skills shortage. Picture: Carmela Roche

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Students and staff from Chullora TAFE were transferred to neighbouring campuses months before it was surprisingly shut down a few weeks ago.

The government says it has no plans to sell off the site at the moment.

A majority of the staff and students had been transferred to nearby campuses since the end of last year, according to an TAFE spokesman.

The Chullora TAFE officially closed at the end of June. The Express revealed in 2016 that the campus was on a government asset sell-off list.

“There are no current plans to sell the Chullora site,” the TAFE spokesman told The Express.

The Chullora TAFE closed down in June. Picture: Carmela Roche

“The ageing trade facilities at TAFE NSW Chullora were significantly under-utilised and located only 4km away from two other campuses (Lidcombe and Bankstown).

“Staff and continuing students were relocated to nearby campuses with specialist facilities, in line with recent investments.

“These students now have improved access to a full range of educational and support services, including modern, industry standard facilities, technology facilitated learning and a wider range of training options.”

Opposition spokesman for TAFE and Skills Jihad Dib said it was ironic that while the government was talking about a skills shortage, they were closing down this campus.

“This is the last thing they should do because of the skills shortage,” the Lakemba MP said.

“The government has been reducing courses so enrolling numbers are less.

“TAFE is important while vocational skills are important too but now there will be no TAFE is our electorate.

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“I am urging the government not to close or sell the site and instead use it as a community facility.

“But if they do sell it, that money should be put into training people in the local area.”

The TAFE spokesman said they are committed to delivering high quality training in Western Sydney and the broader region.

“(TAFE) is embarking on a landmark investment program focused on investing in facilities and technologies to enhance its capacity to deliver quality vocational training,” he said.

“Our $22 million investment in upgraded, fit-for-purpose facilities across Western Sydney provides a better customer experience, and improved training outcomes, for TAFE NSW students.”