Labor MPs fear TAFE facilities at Loftus could be lost or downgraded under the A-League stadium proposal.
They are not convinced by assurances by the state government the site won’t be sold or leased and Southern Expansion’s reiteration educational facilities will be rebuilt as part of any development.
Opposition spokesman on education Jihad Dib and spokeswoman on skills Prue Car joined Labor candidate for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart in calling for the government to show strong support for the TAFE campus and Cook School for Special Purposes.
Mr Dib said, “While there may be some merit in the Southern Expansion proposal, it should not be at the expense of educational facilities”.
“Local educational facilities like Loftus TAFE and the Cook School are a critical part of the community, supporting people of all ages,” he said.
“Minister Barilaro and [Heathcote MP] Lee Evans need to come out in strong support of these important local facilities.”
Ms Car MP said a “TAFE presence” was no guarantee the campus would not be closed.
Ms Stuart said Heathcote MP Lee Evans had previously given guarantees in Parliament the TAFE would not be sold.
“Lee Evans must give an iron clad guarantee that there will be no impact to either the Cook School or Loftus TAFE,” she said.
Mr Evans said in October the stadium proposal was “stupid”.
“It is not happening, it will not happen and there has been no conversation with the state government – the council has nothing to do with it,” he said.
Assistant Skills Minister Adam Marshall, who is responsible for TAFE, said in October there were no plans to sell or lease any part of the site to accommodate a sports stadium or any other project.
“TAFE NSW has not been contacted by the council or any of the proponents of this idea,” he said.
“If they were to make an approach, they would be told the TAFE NSW Loftus Campus is not for sale, nor will any other arrangements be entered into.
“The NSW Government has always said where there is a TAFE presence today there will be a TAFE presence tomorrow.”
Southern Expansion chief executive Chris Gardiner said in October the consortium was not looking to buy the land or close the TAFE campus.
“Our plan envisages revived education facilities,” he said.
“Our approach was always to start with the local community and the council as it’s representative, then approach the TAFE and the government.
“We will do so, and put our proposal, and we are confident we can show how this could benefit TAFE.”
