Queensland government reveals plans for decommissioned Tewantin TAFE site

A controversial TAFE site in Noosa will be reopened, it has been revealed, following a decade of neglect and heated public debate over the site’s future.

The former Tewantin TAFE site.

A controversial TAFE site in Noosa will be reopened by the Queensland government as a design school, it has been revealed, following a decade of neglect and heated public debate over the site’s future.

On Monday, Premier Steven Miles announced the former Tewantin TAFE campus will be rebuilt and reopened as the Sunshine Coast School of Design.

The design school is expected to service between 500 to 800 students studying fashion, art, industrial design and architecture.

The multimillion-dollar site at 24 Cooroy-Noosa Rd has deteriorated significantly since it was decommissioned by the LNP government in 2014 and left empty with little maintenance.

The announcement comes after police were called to the former Tewantin TAFE site earlier this year when members of the community intended to transform the abandoned buildings into accommodation for the region’s homeless.

In 2018, the Noosa Council made an offer to buy the 11ha site but ultimately withdrew it during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Sandy Bolton Member for Noosa welcomed the announcement by the Queensland government. Picture David Clark

Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton welcomed the state government’s move to reopen the site.

“This site is a vital asset to our community, and as I have reported many times after it was closed by the LNP government in 2014 without community consultation, it needs to serve our community again,” Ms Bolton said.

“It has been a long journey, and I thank the Queensland government, residents and all who have waited whilst the challenges encountered along the way have been worked through and look forward to a future that will benefit our community.”

Mr Miles said the site would be operated by a third party to restore the campus to its “former glory”.

“The development of training infrastructure and creative spaces will support Queensland’s growing workforce, boost the local economy and provide and social benefits to the community,” Mr Miles said.

Originally published as Queensland government reveals plans for decommissioned Tewantin TAFE site