Automatic reticulation for schools gets go ahead

23/8/00
More than 55 schools throughout the State will receive automatic watering systems in 2001.
Education Minister Colin Barnett said today 57 schools would get the systems in stage four of the Automatic Irrigation Program.
He said the five-year program would see up to 150 primary and secondary schools across the State receive automatic reticulation
The Education Department would spend $4.1 million on stage four.
"The change to automatic watering will save water and encourage students and staff to see the advantages of conservation," Mr Barnett said.
"In some cases the use of recycled effluent may be considered as an alternative to scheme and bore water.
"Replacing the manual watering systems with automatic systems using ground water or recycled effluent will save our precious scheme water, provide a valuable lesson in caring for the environment and set an example for the community.
"The advantages of the department's $9.9 million program include a more efficient allocation of gardening resources, reduced injuries to gardeners, reduced workers' compensation costs, savings in the cost of scheme water, and the promotion of water conservation.
"Automatic irrigation systems will replace the existing above ground systems which incorporate surface pipes, sprinklers and hoses, and are extremely labour intensive when used to water large ovals and playing fields, particularly during summer.
"Above ground systems can only be operated during daylight hours and on weekdays when school gardeners are at work.
"These systems are time consuming, inefficient and labour intensive, and often interfere with school outdoor activities."
Mr Barnett said the new systems would, in the longer term, be connected to the department's security monitoring system (where feasible) so plant failures could be remotely detected and prompt remedial action initiated.
The average cost of installing automatic irrigation systems was expected to be about $65,000 for each primary school and $130,000 for each high school.
Schools on the attached list would receive automatic irrigation during 2001 and include 37 metropolitan primary schools, eight country primary schools, six senior high schools, two district high schools, and four schools providing special education to children with disabilities.
Media contact: Diana Callander - 9222 9699

AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS.
List of schools to participate in stage four
Carine Senior High School
Churchlands Senior High School
Collie Senior High School
Cyril Jackson Senior Campus
Derby District High School
Forrestfield Senior High School
Jurien District High School
South Fremantle Senior High School
Attadale Primary School
Beachlands Primary School
Belmay Primary School
Bentley Primary School
Blackmore Primary School
Bluff Point Primary School
Carine Primary School
Cervantes Primary School
City Beach Primary School
Coolbellup Primary School
Darlington Primary School
East Greenwood Primary School
East Kenwick Primary School
East Maddington Primary School
Eneabba Primary School
Geraldton Primary School
Gladys Newton School
Glengarry Primary School
Gooseberry Hill Primary School
Greenmount Primary School
Hainsworth Primary School
Hampton Park Primary School
Holland Street School
Kalamunda Primary School
Kapinara Primary School
Kenwick Primary School
Kinlock Primary School
Koonawarra Primary School
Maddington Primary School
Melville Primary School
Middle Swan Primary School
Moora Primary School
Mosman Park School for Deaf Children
Nollamara Primary School
Noranda Primary School
Rangeway Primary School
South Kensington School
Southwell Primary School
Spearwood Primary School
Tranby Primary School
Warnbro Primary School
West Greenwood Primary School
West Morley Primary School
Westfield Primary School
Wilson Primary School
Wirrabirra Primary School
Woodlands Primary School
Yakamia Primary School
Yokine Primary School