Nearly $13M allocated for schools in Wanneroo-Joondalup region

23/11/94

Nearly $13 million has been allocated for new schools and additional facilities in the Wanneroo - Joondalup region as part of the Education Department's capital works program.

Education Minister Norman Moore said a major investment in new school buildings was necessary because of the enormous growth in population in the region in recent years.

The new primary schools at Merriwa and Kinross, both of which were due to open at the start of the 1995 school year, accounted for $8 million of the budget.  Built to the high standards of the 1990s, both would have similar facilities, including a pre-primary centre, 12 teaching areas, a library/resource centre, an art/craft room, a music room, canteen, covered assembly area and an administration block.

In addition, the Merriwa school would have an education support centre for students with disabilities.

Mr Moore said another important milestone for the region would be the completion of the Belridge Senior High School at Beldon.  Construction of the $3.3 million final stage of the school was due to begin in February and be completed for the start of the 1996 school year.

The facilities to be provided would include a performing arts centre, a new classroom block with four general teaching areas and an associated activity area, as well as a new administration block, incorporating offices and a new staffroom.

At Beaumaris Primary School in Ocean Reef, work on a $700,000 block of four classrooms had been fast-tracked to relieve pressure on school facilities resulting from population growth in the surrounding suburb.  This should be ready for the start of school in January.

The Minister said preliminary planning was underway for a new senior high school at Clarkson, due to open in 1997.  An allocation of $400,000 had been made for this financial year.  Final plans would be completed and construction would begin during the next financial year.  Community involvement was being encouraged in the planning stages for this school and a steering committee had been appointed and begun regular meetings.

This committee would establish the educational brief for the school, which would be used extensively to determine the final design for the buildings.

Other allocations for work schedule in the region included:

·       $100,000 for reconstruction and repairs to retaining walls at Wanneroo Senior High School;

·       $75,000 for reticulation in the grounds of Craigie Senior High School;

·       $70,000 for construction of retaining walls and pathways at Sorrento Primary School; and -

·       $20,000 for new toilet facilities at the Burbridge Education Support Centre at Koondoola.

Local MLA Wayde Smith thanked the Minister for his support and commitment to addressing the education needs of the electorate.

"Since being elected in 1993, I have continued to progress these issues on behalf of the community," Mr Smith said.

"I look forward to the Minister's continued support to provide for the future needs of what is now the fastest growing region in Australia."

Media contact:  Ross Storey  321 1444    222 9595 - mobile:  018 950 142