State Government committed to rebuilding Midvale Primary School

27/7/00
The State Government has renewed its commitment to rebuild Midvale Primary School.
Education Minister Colin Barnett said today suggestions the Government was backing away from plans to construct a replacement school in Midvale were simply untrue.
"A new school will be built at the site but, because of the siting of the new Aboriginal College in Midvale, we're waiting to start detailed planning," Mr Barnett said.
"We're anticipating quite a few Midvale Primary students will transfer to the college when it opens next year but we won't know exactly how many until then.
"It makes sense to wait and see the effect on enrolments before we start planning how big the new school will need to be."
Mr Barnett said the Aboriginal College would open in 2001 and planning for the replacement Midvale Primary School would begin 12 months later.
"Construction work will follow the planning and documentation phase and I expect building to start in the 2002-2003 financial year," he said.
Mr Barnett said the Education Department was continuing to buy blocks alongside the school so it could expand.
He said when Midvale Primary School was built in the 1950s, school sites were much smaller.
The department was buying local housing lots as they became available through the Midland-Midvale redevelopment to ensure there was plenty of room for students at the rebuilt school.
The changed timeline should not be seen as a step back from the Government's original commitment.
"The Government is still very much dedicated to building a new primary school in the area and the regeneration of the Midvale area as a whole," the Minister said.
"We are just being sensible and waiting before drawing up plans.
"I'm sure local people will be very happy with the new Community College for Aboriginal Education and its benefit to the local community when it opens next year."
Media contact: Diana Callander, 9222 9699