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Some believe Benalla’s Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE could be under threat with the announcement of a government plan to slash $230million from TAFE funding.

The government is considering a recommendation to cut TAFE funding over four years which, if it goes ahead, would result in possible course and facility closures and staff redundancies.

The Border Mail reported Victorian TAFE Association executive director David Williams saying small facilities including Benalla, could be under threat.

Institute chief executive Paul Culpan said at this stage no decision had been made and the funding cut is simply ‘‘one of many’’ recommendations.

‘‘Benalla has got a lot of things happening — we don’t have any intention of pulling out of Benalla,’’ Mr Culpan said.

‘‘What the government is probably doing is making it more transparent where the money’s going. We’re committed to community development and regional development.

‘‘There is a cohort of young people in Benalla who value the engagement of learning in the arts,’’ he said.

‘‘We offer the opportunity to re-engage, a pathway to the arts, or other programs. We are determined around supporting the community.’’

Mr Culpan said the Benalla campus offers a wide choice of qualifications and courses, including children’s services, aged care, hospitality, nursing and the well-received GRADA program.

He suggested with any medium size private business comes challenges and said the institute faces the same modern day challenges.

Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said a rearrangement of funding had occurred to enable the delivery of relevant courses.

‘‘This is in order to encourage the provision of meaningful courses which will lead to jobs,’’ Dr Sykes said.

He added that overall funding of TAFEs has increased this year.

The Benalla campus is the newest of the main campuses and is also the venue for the Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

BPACC opened in November 2004 and has recently been under the Benalla Rural City microscope, having never shown a profit. Its best year was its first when it ran at a loss of $178592 in 2005 — its worst was 2010, with a total loss of $282819.

The facility is specifically designed as a conference centre, catering for large conventions, meetings, seminars, new product launches, training and performing arts.

Benalla Rural City has budgeted $185000 towards BPACC in 2011/12, including the $60000 Arts Victoria contribution. This means council expects to contribute a total of $125000 to the facility in this financial year.