Claire Braund, President of the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, has welcomed the announcement that the NSW Government has secured the future of the Conservatorium in central Gosford.

Her comments follow the announcement last week that the NSW Government would purchase key sites in Mann Street and Georgiana Terrace from the Central Coast Council, to build a new vertical TAFE facility. 

Ms Braund said confirmation by Member for Terrigal & Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, that the Conservatorium facilities at 126 Georgiana Terrace would be integrated into the new TAFE campus was a great relief.

“It has been an ongoing challenge to secure the future of the Conservatorium and build a fit-for-purpose facility for our students, teachers and staff. For years we have had to make-do and beg and borrow rehearsal spaces and practice rooms from shopping centres, churches and halls. The welcome news that we can work with another education provider to design a purpose-built facility will be ‘music to the ears’ of the many thousands of supporters of the Conservatorium community.” 

The Conservatorium is the Crown Land lessee of 45 Mann Street, the oldest building in Gosford, which is currently being restored and updated with a $2million NSW Government grant. Work on stage 2 will recommence early in January with anticipated completion sometime in Term 2.

To boost its teaching facilities, the Conservatorium leases 126 Georgiana Terrace from Council. This site was listed for sale by Council as part of its debt recovery plan, potentially impacting up to 500 students a week who in pre-Covid times attended the site for lessons and rehearsals.

“This was clearly a major threat to our security and our future – a threat that has been effectively mitigated by this announcement,” she said.

Ms Braund said the Conservatorium had been invited to work with LandCom, TAFE and the NSW Government on the proposed facilities and was looking forward to being part of planning this new chapter for Gosford.

“The opportunity to partner with TAFE and explore options for new courses and programs in the music and performance space is very exciting for the future of music education and performance on the Central Coast.”

“We thank the NSW Government, TAFE and Mr Crouch for their consideration and ongoing support.