Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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New Rural Industries Campus opens

GOTAFE's new Rural Industries Campus Wangaratta opened yesterday in Tone Road with a total of 441 student enrolments.

Planning for the Rural Industries Campus Wangaratta (RICW) commenced 10 years ago with joint funding by the Australian Government ($8.1m) and GOTAFE ($2m).

The new campus was designed by Brand Architects of East Ivanhoe and constructed by Browns of Wangaratta. It is situated on 44 hectares of mixed pastures with a frontage to the 15 Mile Creek and native woodlands.

According to Thomas Greene, General Manager GOTAFE Wangaratta Campus, "the RICW campus is a significant development for GOTAFE, for the Rural City of Wangaratta and for the local rural industry."

Three specialist centres are located at the campus including the National Centre for Equine Education, Park Lane Stud and the Centre for Agriculture, Horticulture and Sustainability.

Current courses include Performance Horse programs, Equine Health, Horse Racing, Horse Breeding, Veterinary Nursing, Animal Care, Production Horticulture and Amenity Horticulture.

A wide range of other courses and services will be developed to support the Alpine Valleys Food Bowl project and farmers around the Ovens and King Valleys who may become involved in intensive agriculture.

GOTAFE has established a project team to ensure that future training and long-term development of the campus meets the needs of the Alpine Valleys Food Bowl.

Teachers at the campus are leaders in their field. For instance Equine education is provided online and through practical placement to 130 students attending 86 schools throughout Victoria.

Key features of the Rural Industries Campus Wangaratta include an Olympic-standard presentation arena, small animals laboratory, horticultural laboratory, seven classrooms, staff and student amenities, stables for 23 mares and two stallions, tack room, serving barn, foaling paddocks and horse shelters.

The Warby Street Veterinary Hospital has also established a commercial equine hospital on site.

Mr Greene says that the Warby Street Veterinary Hospital "will provide a unique opportunity to bring Equine students and staff into direct contact with industry on a day-to-day basis."

The presentation arena will also be available to host a wide range of community activities.

Particular attention has been given to environmental sustainability at the new campus based on the advice of environmental consultants. A commitment to sustainability is evident with a comprehensive farm management plan, passive solar design for buildings and the employment of a management system to reduce energy consumption.

Planning is also underway to seek future funding to develop an environmentally sustainable student accommodation on site.

For more information visit the RICW website.