Industry to take reins at Drysdale

TASMANIA’S hospitality and tourism sectors have been granted their wish that Drysdale should be more aligned with the local industry and less aligned with TasTafe.

The State Government has agreed to accept recommendations from an industry taskforce on reforming hospitality training school Drysdale with more industry oversight.

Premier Will Hodgman said yesterday tourism and hospitality industry representatives would have positions on a new subcommittee of the TasTafe board, making decisions about the budget and management of Drysdale.

“We will give Drysdale more autonomy to operate as an industry training body,” Mr Hodgman said.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the tourism and hospitality sectors had been lobbying for years for an industry-led overhaul of Drysdale.

“We’ve been waiting for a clear future direction for Drysdale and we’ve finally got it,” he said.

Both major parties have been keen to show they are listening to industry on Drysdale.

Labor announced last week that if elected it would also make Drysdale a centre of excellence, establishing an independent board including tourism and hospitality experts and TasTafe representatives.

Drysdale teachers have expressed concern about the new direction, citing a lack of consultation.