State Government to spend another $4 million replacing school roofs

26/7/00
The fourth year of the State Government's $20 million five-year roof replacement program will see roofs at 42 more schools throughout Western Australia replaced in the next 12 months.
Education Minister Colin Barnett said today $4 million had been set aside this financial year to replace the asbestos cement roofs.
He said this would bring the number of asbestos cement roofs replaced to 139 since 1997.
Mr Barnett said a further $560,000 from general restoration program funding had been allocated to seven schools with non-asbestos roofs experiencing significant maintenance problems.
The schools were Derby District High School, Oombulgurrie Remote Community School, Albany Senior High School, John Forrest Senior High School, Wyndham District High School and Mirrabooka Senior High School Education Support Centre.
Mr Barnett said the roof replacement program would see all asbestos cement roofs at schools in WA replaced by 2002.
In the past three years 104 schools in Western Australia have had asbestos cement roofs replaced.
He said asbestos cement roofs would be replaced at the following:

• Secondary schools - Belmont City College, Duncraig Senior High School, Kellerberrin District High School, Laverton District High School, Leonora District High School, Mukinbudin District High School, Safety Bay Senior High School, Southern Cross Senior High School, Wanneroo Senior High School and Yule Brook College;

• Primary schools - Babakin, Badgingara, Bambara, Bodallin, Cervantes, Denmark, East Beechboro, East Carnarvon, East Hamersley, East Kenwick, Glengarry, Kambalda, Kewdale, Leeman, Maddington, Moorine Rock, North Dandalup, North Lake, North Merredin, Pegs Creek, Spencer Park, West Balcatta and Westonia;

• Pre Primary Schools - Cooinda, Dudley Park, Morawa, Phoenix, South Kalgoorlie, South Thornlie and Warnbro; and -

• Other - Bluff Point Camp School and School of Isolated and Distance Education.

Mr Barnett said all the roof replacement work would be done during school holiday periods to ensure school sites were vacant.
"The roof replacement program is part of the State Government's commitment to maintaining and upgrading the quality of school buildings around Western Australia," he said.
"This commitment is about raising the standard of our school buildings - many of which were built in the 1960s and 70s - and bringing them up to the standards expected and deserved by today's students and staff."
Media contact: Diana Callander 9222 9699