Kalgoorlie-Boulder has today welcomed new student accommodation with the official opening of Agricola College.
Wendy Duncan MLA, Member for Kalgoorlie, said the project was announced in 2012 when it was identified that modern, comfortable and safe student accommodation was required for the growth of the Western Australian School of Mines and the Goldfields Institute of Technology.
“The State Government contributed $20million through the Royalties for Regions program to the Agricola College Accommodation project which was undertaken in partnership with the Department of Regional Development, Department of Training and Workforce Development, Curtin University, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Central Regional TAFE,” Ms Duncan said.
The new facility offers high-quality accommodation for 228 students and includes two accommodation blocks with 180 individual bedrooms as well as the refurbished existing 48 bed single storey accommodation.
“The old accommodation was a relic of the 1970’s when people were prepared to share bathroom facilities, could do without air-conditioning and did not need sophisticated technology to be able to complete their studies.”
Ms Duncan said that the previous standard of the accommodation at the WA School of Mines was an impediment to the School reaching its full potential.
“I am incredibly proud of this project. It stands out as a modern and confident testament to the future of our city and the historic and highly regarded School of Mines, and I worked very hard to help secure the Royalties for Regions funding,” Ms Duncan said.
“It is the essential stepping stone to making the WA School of Mines in Kalgoorlie-Boulder a centre of excellence in mining and the place to go if you want the best mining education and research in the world.”
Nationals Candidate for Kalgoorlie, Tony Crook, said that the buildings bring the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder into the 21st century and speak of confidence in the mining sector and mining education.
“An investment in education is an investment in our economic future,” Mr Crook said.
Ms Duncan said that the new accommodation realises the vision of many Goldfields leaders and the Goldfields-Esperance Blueprint and praised the collaboration and commitment of those who have made it a reality.
“The unveiling today is a credit to all the organisations that came together to make it possible and capitalises on the unique co-location of the WA School of Mines, Central Regional TAFE and the Eastern Goldfields College. This provides great opportunity to local students as well as those from throughout Australia and overseas,” Ms Duncan said.
For media enquiries contact Wendy Duncan on 0438782034
Curtin University Chancellor – Mr Colin Beckett, Vice Chancellor Deboarh Terry AO with Minister for Training & Workforce Development – Liza Harvey MLA and Member for Kalgoorlie – Wendy Duncan MLA at the Agricola College Opening.
