- $465 million investment in school infrastructure across Western Australia
- 15 secondary schools will be rebuilt or upgraded
- Balcatta Senior High School to receive a $50 million redevelopment
- School infrastructure program to create jobs for Western Australians
The McGowan Labor Government is redeveloping and upgrading secondary schools in Western Australia, including a major $50 million redevelopment at 50-year-old Balcatta Senior High School.
The 2017-18 State Budget included significant investment in school infrastructure, with $465 million allocated towards building new primary schools and a secondary college, performing arts centres and the redevelopment of ageing secondary schools.
A $50 million major rebuild will take place at John Forrest Secondary College and revitalisations will occur at Canning Vale College ($2 million), Darling Range Sports College ($10 million), Kinross College ($2.5 million), Morley Senior High School ($1.5 million), Mount Lawley Senior High School ($4 million), Southern River College ($8.4 million) and Wanneroo Secondary College ($5 million).
In regional Western Australia, major redevelopments will take place at Broome Senior High School ($20 million), Bunbury Senior High School ($5 million), Collie Senior High School ($7.5 million), Eaton Community College ($5 million), Lakeland Senior High School - Mandurah ($2.5 million) and Newton Moore Senior High School ($3 million).
An architect will soon be appointed to design the Balcatta Senior High School redevelopment with construction to start in 2018.
The Department of Education has engaged a heritage consultant to undertake a preliminary site assessment and develop a heritage conservation plan to identify buildings that must be retained in the redevelopment.
The new works at Balcatta are due to be completed in 2021.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"We are delivering on our multimillion dollar commitment to provide upgrades to secondary schools across the State.
"This is part of our major investment in public school infrastructure - to build high-quality learning spaces for WA students and create new jobs for Western Australian workers."
Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"Balcatta Senior High School has long been in need of an upgrade to modernise its facilities and provide students with high-quality learning spaces.
"This is part of our commitment to provide outstanding education facilities that support students' educational needs and to ensure that students can learn and staff can teach in the best possible environment."
Comments attributed to Balcatta MLA David Michael:
"The school has a proud history, and its students and staff deserve facilities to match its commitment to excellence.
"This redevelopment will be the catalyst for re-energising secondary education in the area, providing local families with a high-quality secondary school option for their children into the future."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Education and Training Minister's office - 6552 5700
