Wodonga TAFE's Logical Innovation Precinct gains $22m in Commonwealth funding.

Thursday, 17 August 2023

Wodonga TAFE successful in gaining $22m in Commonwealth funding for Stage 1 of Logical Innovation Precinct.

Today the Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, announced $22 million in funding for Wodonga TAFE’s Logical Innovation Precinct.

This milestone of funding encompasses Stage 1 of the Logical Innovation Precinct and is for detailed design and the construction of infrastructure and facilities at Wodonga TAFE’s Logic campus (Logic Park, Barnawartha North), including a heavy vehicle workshop, heavy vehicle offroad obstacle circuit, main corporate and client building and showroom, and a cyber range. Stage 1 of this project aims to be completed by June 2026.

Dr Helen Haines MP, Federal Member of Parliament, Indi also attended the event, and continues to be a great advocate for this project, education, and Wodonga TAFE.

Dr Haines said, "This project will enable many other projects to follow, and we'll be chasing those endeavours wholeheartedly. Congratulations to everyone involved in this project, I can't wait to see it come to fruition."

Logical Innovation Precinct’s vision is to provide a proving, experimentation. and training ground for industry, academia, Emergency Services and Defence. It is where innovation, research and technology, and industry and education partners, will come together to promote and develop ideas, growth, and investment in future skills and technologies. This will support economic growth, jobs, sustainability, and infrastructure, with investment opportunities that align with government funding and initiatives.

Wodonga TAFE continues to advocate with industry to establish further funding streams to deliver the whole gamut of Logical Innovation Precinct (Stages 2 and 3). Stage 2 is proposed to include the following:

• Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (including additive manufacturing, 3D printing, laser machining and composites engineering)
• Heavy robotics, mechatronics, and automation workshop
• Future fuels workshop (including charging and refuelling stations)

Phil Paterson, CEO of Wodonga TAFE stated, “This is a momentous milestone for Wodonga TAFE and Logical Innovation Precinct, and we are excited to be at the forefront of future skills, jobs, and technologies, benefiting our communities and industries. There are a great range of opportunities to build into Logical Innovation Precinct's future.”