State Budget 2011-12: Supporting our Community - All WA public schools to receive State-funded air-cooling

Education Minister Liz Constable today announced the list of schools and the timeframe for roll out of air-cooling across West Australian public schools.

This follows the announcement yesterday of $52million over the next four years in the State Budget for the initiative.

"Evaporative air-cooling will be installed in 489 schools in two stages, the first focusing on 103 schools in north-east metropolitan Perth, Serpentine, Jarrahdale and Geraldton," Dr Constable said.

"This work, estimated to cost $11million, will occur during the 2011-12 financial year.  Another 91 schools in the central metropolitan area of Perth, upper Great Southern, Wheatbelt and South-East of Perth will receive air-cooling at an estimated cost of $11million the following financial year."

Stage two of the rollout will happen between 2013 and 2015, with all remaining areas of the State, predominantly the metropolitan coast and south of WA, to receive air-cooling during this phase.

This stage encompasses 295 schools and will cost $30million. All cost estimates include power upgrades for schools where necessary.

 "Providing air-cooling to every public school in WA continues the Government's work to strengthen the State's public education system and ensure a quality learning environment for every student," the Minister said.

"The State Government will spend an estimated $52million in four years to air-cool schools.

Cost control during the State's implementation of the Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution had resulted in savings of about $23million, which the Education Department was already using to retro-fit air-cooling into BER buildings outside the previous air-cooling zone.

Dr Constable said today's announcement followed her request for a review into the air-cooling boundary after parents, school communities and local members expressed concern about long periods of hot weather compromising students' learning.

"I have shared the concerns of parents, teachers and students sweltering during this record-breaking summer in schools that have lacked air-cooling," she said.

"The State Government acted on these concerns by rolling out air-cooling to every public school across WA in a very timely fashion. We know that students and teachers work better in comfortable surroundings.

"This is the first review of the air-cooling boundary since 2002. We have essentially scrapped the boundary so that all students and teachers in our schools can enjoy the comfort others take for granted."

The Minister said evaporative cooling was installed because it had lower life-cycle costs, used less energy than refrigerative air-cooling, was environmentally friendlier than reverse cycle air-conditioning and was less likely to overload school electrical systems.  It was best suited to a classroom environment.

A list of schools included in the first stage of the air-cooling rollout is attached (PDF).

Minister's office - 9222 9699

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