CHARLES Sturt University (CSU) will go ahead with plans to close its 35 hectare equine centre despite receiving two expressions of interests from groups wanting to take over the running of the facility.
A spokesman said the parties interested in the facility were unable to fill the university’s requirements.
“We do not anticipate any further interest,” he said.
“The equine centre will remain as part of the university and the land and facility will be incorporated into the general farm operation.”
CSU called for expressions of interest for the centre in February after the previous user TAFE NSW Western Institute stopped leasing the facility when it dropped all equine courses following the death of Sarah Waugh, who died during a rural skills course at Dubbo TAFE College in 2009.
In April, the teenager’s parents expressed their disappointment when they learnt of the closure of the Orange equine centre which they said was much better than the Dubbo facility where their daughter was killed.
Her mother, Julianna Waugh, said the training school was highly regarded, with up to 24 properly trained horses with trainers who know the animals comprehensively.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com