Our wrap of the latest infrastructure projects and initiatives being delivered by governments around Australia.

In this story:

• TAFE NSW’s digital HQ launched
• Melbourne unveils Australia’s first blind soccer pitch
• Isaac council opens upgraded waste management facility
• Blacktown City upgrades six playgrounds

TAFE NSW’s digital HQ launched

The new headquarters of TAFE Digital which offers more than 250 courses online.

The NSW Government has launched TAFE NSW’s new $6 million Digital Headquarters in Armidale.

State Minister responsible for TAFE NSW, Adam Marshall said the facility’s opening heralded a revolution in online learning.

TAFE Digital, TAFE NSW’s online brand, offers more than 250 courses. The headquarters in Armidale will be responsible for developing and refining course content for TAFE Digital courses, using the latest in virtual reality, augmented reality and simulation.

“TAFE Digital is the country’s largest online vocational education and training provider and this futuristic new facility will propel TAFE’s offering of ground breaking courses such as cyber-security, 3D computer aided design and web-based technologies,” Mr Marshall said.

“Thanks to TAFE Digital and the learning technologies that will be pioneered at the Digital HQ, people across NSW will be able to access this world-class training anywhere and anytime they want.”

The facility will also benefit regional NSW, with Armidale set to benefit from the creation of 50 new high-skilled jobs, attracting talented workers from across the country, he said.

Melbourne unveils Australia’s first blind soccer pitch

The City of Melbourne has unveiled Australia’s first blind soccer pitch as part of a $1.5 million redevelopment of the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve.

The new facility will be capable of holding B1 international level soccer competitions, an internationally recognised Paralympic sport.

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood said the council wanted the city to be accessible, inclusive and engaging while promoting health and participation for people of all ages and abilities.

“Blind soccer is played outdoors with two vision impaired teams of five players. An audible ball is used, which makes a rattling noise to allow players to locate it by sound. Outfield players wear eye-shades to equal their sight, but the goalkeeper can be fully or partially sighted.”

People City Portfolio chair Beverley Pinder said the pitch was an important step in making sure Melbourne’s sports facilities are accessible to everyone.

“This new pitch is a meaningful way we can we can provide access to people who are visually impaired,” Cr Pinder said.

Isaac council opens upgraded waste management facility

Isaac Regional Council has launched Moranbah’s $7 million upgraded waste management facility which it said will cut costs, increase revenue and guarantee reliable, long-term waste disposal.

The Moranbah Resource Recovery Centre was funded with $3.58 million from the Palaszczuk Government and $3.58 million from Isaac Regional Council.

The facility guarantees waste disposal for seven resource companies depositing 16,000 tonnes of construction, demolition, commercial and industrial waste per annum, and the 8,900 permanent residents of Moranbah and surrounds.

The facility’s improved efficiency will cut council’s costs by an estimated 20 per cent.

Isaac Region Mayor Anne Baker said the project had been an important initiative for the area.

Meanwhile, Moranbah’s water storage capacity will also be expanded through a further $5.2 million from the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions fund.

Due for completion by early 2019, the Moranbah Reservoir and Associated Works project will increase the storage of safe, clean drinking water and raw water storage, and address critical pressure issues.

Blacktown City upgrades six playgrounds

Blacktown City Council is upgrading six playgrounds across the City as part of a $790,000 improvement project.

The playgrounds are:

• George Alder Reserve, Quakers Hill
• Thomas Kelly Street Park, Lalor Park
• Prospect Park, Prospect
• Azzopardi Street Park, Glendenning
• Doonside Heights Park, Doonside
• Willmot Reserve, Willmot.

The playground upgrades in Quakers Hill, Lalor Park and Prospect were partially funded by federal grants while the park at Willmot was jointly funded by Blacktown City Council and the NSW Government.

Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali said the playgrounds will provide valuable places for children of varying ages and abilities to play and learn.

“Blacktown City recognises their importance by allocating funding to build new and improved play spaces for our community.”

Construction work on the playgrounds is expected to begin in the coming months.

Mayor Bali said resident feedback gathered through online surveys informed the parks’ designs.

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