A $4.4 million Northern Student Accommodation Centre in Launceston is providing state of the art student accommodation, Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, said today.

Officially opening the purpose-built, 50-place centre at the Newstead campuses of the Tasmanian Academy and Polytechnic, Mr Bartlett said that the new facility was very important for students from Tasmania?s regional areas.

?We set out to expand the opportunities for students from outside the main centres in Tasmania to have access to facilities that enable them to complete their education.

?And we have delivered.

 ?Today we see the benefits of forward planning and clear policy goals.

?For some students living in isolated areas it?s necessary to move to a city area in order to attend school or to complete their senior secondary education,? Mr Bartlett said.

?The Northern Student Accommodation Centre is an important element in the establishment of the new Tasmanian Academy and the Tasmanian Polytechnic.

?Each bedroom has hard wired network access through the Newstead Campus IT infrastructure as well as being wireless networked throughout.

?One unit has provision for students with disabilities.

?The buildings back onto a shared recreational courtyard and there is a shared laundry and common room/study area under one of the buildings.?

 ?The major project, designed by architect Glenn Smith Associates and built by Vos Construction and Joinery Pty Ltd, provides for 50 students to be accommodated in 12 three, four and five bedroom apartments, each with a common kitchen and lounge area,? Mr Bartlett said.  

?A 75 per cent increase in accommodation places is being achieved through increases in hostel places here at the Newstead campus of the Tasmanian Academy and Polytechnic, a $1.4 million additional facility at Springvale Hostel in Hobart, and also by combining the Burnie campuses of the Skills Institute, the Polytechnic and the Academy.

?We?ve also boosted the Student Accommodation Allowance for senior students ? by 33 per cent from $1050 a year to $1400 a year and eligibility criteria has been relaxed to support more students, including part-time students.?

Mr Bartlett said that this year alone, the Department of Education?s total Capital Investment budget would increase from its 2008-09 level of $41.805 million to $240.735 million.

?Tasmanian Government schools will also benefit from the investment of close to $300 million over the next three years on school facilities under the Australian Government?s $14.7 billion spend on the important economic stimulus package Building the Education Revolution,? Mr Bartlett said.

?I?m sure the students and staff at the Northern Student Accommodation Centre will enjoy their fantastic new facilities as a home away from home.?