Kalgoorlie primary school partly destroyed by fire reopened

2/6/97

Students will tomorrow return to rebuilt classrooms at Hannans Primary School in Kalgoorlie, six and a half months after fire destroyed two-thirds of its teaching area.

It will be the first time the classrooms have been used since the devastating fire on November 11.

One classroom block was completely gutted and another was badly damaged after arsonists lit separate fires in two of the school's self-contained teaching modules.

Education Minister Colin Barnett and Works Minister Mike Board today praised the efforts of students, teachers and school administration during the time it took to rebuild the classrooms.

"The fire was a tragedy for the whole school community," Mr Barnett said.

"Not only was it disruptive, but class records, students' work and teaching materials were all destroyed.

"It is a tribute to the staff and students how well they coped while repairs were being completed.

"It is great to see how quick the repairs were achieved and I am sure the school community will be glad to get back to its total teaching area and put the past six and a half months behind them."

Mr Barnett said the Goldfields community had also shown its total support for the school by donating more than $100,000 towards the cost of repairs.

The Ministers paid special tribute to work of Jaxon Constructions, who won the tender to rebuild the two self-contained teaching modules.

Repair work was completed one week ahead of schedule and $173,000 under budget.

Mr Board congratulated the Department of Contract and Management Services (CAMS) for its role in organising the emergency repairs to the school.

"By contracting to the private sector, CAMS achieved the quick and efficient repair and restoration of the damaged classrooms while minimising disruption to teachers and children at the school," he said.

"Transportable classrooms were delivered on site within two days of the fire and within two weeks, seven transportables were being used as makeshift classrooms.

To site the transportables, CAMS contracted Total Relocation - a private sector company established by former CAMS employees.

Mr Board said repairs to the school also provided significant work for local tradespeople.

About $320,000 of the repair budget went to Kalgoorlie contractors for demolition, plumbing, electrical, painting and carpentry, cleaning and labouring work.

"The aftermath of this tragic fire does demonstrate what can be achieved through private and public sector organisations working together," Mr Board said.

"We had the school operating at full capacity quickly and efficiently, with minimal disruption to the school community and had the rebuilding program completed ahead of time and under budget.

"All of this was made possible by good management and through the contracting out of Government services."

Media contact: Peter Harris (08) 9222 9211