$30million transformation of Dongara District High School a step closer

The transformation of Dongara District High School came a step closer today as the State Government awarded the tender for major reconstruction works.

The reconstruction tender has been awarded to Cooper and Oxley Builders and forms a significant part of the $30million upgrade of the school announced by Premier Colin Barnett.

Education Minister Liz Constable said the four-stage building program would see construction of new primary and secondary school buildings and an administration block, demolition of some of the existing school and refurbishment of the remaining buildings.

"This building program demonstrates the State Government's investment in the education of young West Australians," Dr Constable said.

"State-of-the-art facilities will allow students the best possible educational environment."

Finance Minister Simon O'Brien said the contract provided great value and showed the Government's commitment to good project management consistent with its works reform program.

"The Liberal-National Government is strongly committed to a strategic focus on asset planning, delivering projects on time and on budget," Mr O'Brien said.

"The project presents complex challenges with demolition works undertaken while the school is in term holiday break, concurrent with other minor works carried out at the school.

"Health and safety and risk management will be paramount during the project to ensure a safe school environment for the students in conjunction with value-for-money work practices to quickly and efficiently finish the project." 

Servicing Dongara and Port Denison and located 65 kilometres south of Geraldton, the school caters for 455 kindergarten, pre-primary, primary and secondary students. Increasing population in the area during the last decade has outgrown the existing school, built in 1971.

The project will provide:

• a new five-classroom early childhood block, two new four-classroom primary teaching blocks and one new two-classroom primary teaching block
• an administration block with staff room and conference room
• a library and canteen
• a covered assembly area that can be completely enclosed
• a five-classroom secondary block with media classroom studio
• a science laboratory and preparation area, with a secondary art studio
• a composite woodwork and metalwork workshop
• student and staff change rooms and sports storeroom, a covered basketball court and covered primary playground area.

The project will also refurbish the existing covered assembly area and canteen, which will become a sports storeroom and the existing administration block, which will be converted to a student services centre.

Education Minister's office- 9222 9699

Finance Minister's office - 9213 6400