RUNDOWN classrooms at Longerenong College built in the 1980s could be brought into the 21st century.
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Member for Lowan Emma Kealy announced on Tuesday that a Coalition government would allocate $525,000 towards the refurbishment of the college’s Agribusiness Centre if elected at next month’s state election.
The college has identified the redevelopment of the centre as a key priority project.
Ms Kealy said safeguarding the college’s future was essential for the country’s agriculture industry.
“Longerenong College isn’t only training the next generation in farming and agribusiness in the Horsham community, its courses draw students from right across Australia and overseas, supporting our world-class food and fibre producers,” she said.
“I am proud to make this exiting announcement for Longerenong College and the broader agricultural community to give students and staff the educational facilities they expect and deserve.”
College business development officer Donna Winfield said she was thrilled about the pledge.
“It’s really exciting; Longrenong College is continuing to go ahead in leaps and bounds,” she said.
“This pledge announcement will be another piece of the puzzle put together for our students.”
She said the college was experiencing some exciting changes.
“We had our biggest open day this year and we’ve got a huge number of students who have signed up to apply next year; then we also have our first international students starting next year," she said.
“To get a commitment announcement like this this is absolutely instrumental in where we are heading as a centre of excellence for agriculture.
“This building was put here in the 1980s, so it’s time to make a change and we really look forward to seeing what happens.”
In May, the state government gave $578,000 to Birchip Cropping Group as a contribution towards the first stage of the college’s Agriculture Technology Innovation, Development and Extension program.
The program will be integrated in the college's already existing courses, including the Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management, Certificate IV in Agriculture and Diploma in Agronomy.
“The AgTIDE project will just take us to a whole new level,” Ms Winfield said.
In 2014, the then-Liberal state government allocated $2 million to refurbish 108 student rooms and six disabled access rooms at the college. The upgrade cost a total of $4.47-million and opened in June 2016.
