Call for input on Melville Primary School

11/6/02
Members of the Melville community are being invited to have a say in the future of their primary school.
Education Minister Alan Carpenter today announced the start of a community consultation process to develop plans for the future of Melville Primary School.
Mr Carpenter said community involvement in the consultation was very important and members of the local community should take the opportunity to contribute to the process.
"This is an exciting opportunity for the community and I would encourage individuals and groups to provide comments for better educational opportunities for their students," he said.
"Ideas include reconstructing the school, with the aim of providing better education in improved facilities including the latest technology infrastructure."
The Minister said a possibility for funding any reconstruction was to excise some of the school's large land area.

"Melville Primary School was built on 7.95ha, which includes an oval area of 57,000sq.m or 5.7ha," he said.
"Standard primary school sites are four hectares, with formal sporting ovals of about 20,000sq.m so there is some room to move on the site."
Mr Carpenter said excision of surplus land would also reduce the school grounds to a manageable level and would provide funding to redevelop the ageing school on the retained land.

"The school site utilises ground water and relies on labour-intensive manual watering using surface pipes, hoses and sprinklers," he said.
"Given the size of the school and the issue currently facing the State in terms of water conservation and sustainable water resources, it is an opportune time to proceed with the consultation process."
Mr Carpenter said a consultative committee comprising parents and school staff would assist the Fremantle Education District Director in the development of a consultation plan to maximise the community's opportunity to provide feedback.
Members of the public are welcome to make written submissions to the District Director during the consultation period, which will conclude by the end of term three.
At the end of this period, the consultation report will be submitted to Director General of Education Paul Albert, who will make a recommendation to the Education Minister for a decision.
Minister's office: 9213 6800