Western Australia outshines eastern states: School building report

The Building the Education Revolution (BER) Implementation Taskforce has praised the Western Australian Government for delivering some of the most cost-effective school buildings in Australia.

Education Minister Liz Constable visited West Morley Primary School today - the only school named in the BER Taskforce's First Report to achieve a 100 per cent value for money score.

Dr Constable said the State Government's focus was to deliver value for money while meeting the educational priorities of the schools.

"I congratulate the Department of Education's infrastructure division for delivering the program effectively while keeping costs and risk low," she said.

The report stated that 'The WA Government implemented the Program with commercial nous and a sharp focus on value for money,' (BER First Report, page 10).

The Minister said the department, in partnership with the Department of Treasury and Finance's Building Management Works, was able to fast track its capital works processes to construct the BER buildings.

"This report from the taskforce is further proof that we are ensuring all Western Australian public school students have access to high quality education facilities," she said.

West Morley Primary School principal Peter Harty said the school community was very pleased with the new library, built at the school as part of the BER program.

The 100 per cent value for money rate was calculated using three criteria: quality, timeliness and cost.

The report is available online at: http://bertaskforce.gov.au/pages/publications.aspx