By Corey Everitt
Mayor Jack Kowarzik has responded to last week’s lead story in the Gazette regarding education disadvantage saying the matter has been a ‘priority’ for the council as they push for more higher education opportunities within the shire.
Former local principal Ian Chisholm corresponded with the Gazette for the 28 August edition regarding the ‘disadvantage’ many students, particularly those pursuing a trade, face locally with little services operating in Cardinia.
In response, Mayor Kowarzik personally took the lead for the council saying these concerns have been a priority for ‘some time’.
“We are aware of the need for higher education opportunities, particularly TAFE, within Cardinia Shire. As a growing region, home to many young people and young families, we think we are ideally located for providers to call home,” he said.
“This has been an advocacy priority for our Council for some time, and we’ve intimated that to a number of providers, and both State and Federal governments.”
A plumber by trade, Mayor Kowarzik knows personally having to travel significant distances while he was an apprentice.
“There are significant public transport challenges our community faces when commuting outside of Cardinia Shire for employment and further education. For a growing Shire like ours, another of our key priorities is for an upgraded public transport network, to support students with greater access to education in neighbouring municipalities and to keep pace with the Shire’s development,” he said.
“We are also actively advocating to various State Government authorities for land allocation in the Officer South Employment PSP for a potential TAFE or Centre of Excellence site to support local further education and employment pathway opportunities for our community.”
Recently within their submission to the State Government’s Plan Victoria, the council said there is an opportunity for an ‘industry training institute’ in Officer South and called for the State Government’s ‘strategic intent and need’ for the facility.
Officer South is to be the next zone of rapid development locally alongside Honora Fields, only the former will accommodate a massive industrial expansion.
