Western Australia Minister for Education Elizabeth Constable

New College Set To Be Australia’s Agricultural Education Centrepiece

Victor P Taffa

Agriculture secondary students in Harvey would be learning in the nation’s best agricultural education facilities from 2013, with work under way for a major new college.

Education Minister Liz Constable said the new $26.4 Million WA College of Agriculture – Harvey was scheduled to be built on a 905-hectare farm site at Wokalup.

“When the new college opens in 2013 it will replace the existing facilities in Harvey and boast the best facilities for agriculture secondary schooling in Australia.” Dr. Constable said.

“Students will continue to learn on a fully functioning farm complete with dairy, beef cattle, sheep, horticulture and viticulture operations, including a packing shed, and will study a range of nationally recognised training qualifications.”

The Minister said Perkins Builders had been appointed, and earthworks already completed.

“The new college will include three teaching blocks, seven student accommodation units and two staff houses, with the design reflecting a rural village atmosphere.” Dr. Constable said.

“Other facilities will include a new administration block, library, gymnasium, dining hall, and external works such as paths, roads and landscaping.”

“The college’s boarding facilities will be a major improvement on its current dormitories, and these will accommodate up to 112 students in single room residential units.”

In addition, the college’s recently completed metals technology Trade Training Centre will be expanded significantly to include automotive, furnishing and building construction workshops.

The expanded trade training centre is due to open in 2012, and will allow college staff to extend national training package qualifications to students while they are still in school.

Established in 1953, the WA College of Agriculture – Harvey has been providing Year 11 and 12 students (and Year 10 students since 2005) with skills, theory and practical experience in agriculture and related industries.

Dr. Constable said the new college was one of 20 new or replacement schools the State Government was completing within the next two years at a cost of $521.9 Million.