PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: JOHN PIRIE SECONDARY SCHOOL NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (11:25): I move:

That the 435^th report of the committee, on the John Pirie Secondary School New Administration Building, be noted.

DECS proposed the construction of a new administration building at John Pirie Secondary School at an estimated cost of $4.5 million, excluding GST. The current admin building has several structural problems, and the most effective course of action is to construct a new administration building. The key drivers for the new work proposal are to provide a safe working environment and to provide modern, efficient and functional administration areas. The project will be completed by March 2013 and, given this and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (11:25): The opposition members support the project.

Mr BROCK (Frome) (11:26): I would also like to speak on the—

An honourable member: An old scholar.

Mr BROCK: I am an old scholar of the school when it was known as the Port Pirie High School, so I have a great affiliation with the school and it is a great school. I congratulate the works committee and everybody involved with this. I just want to put on the record that as the local member, unfortunately I was not advised when this was being discussed by the Public Works Committee. I would certainly strongly recommend or suggest to the committees that if there is anything to do with the local member in their electorate that they be advised so that they can come down and listen and show their support for that particular project. However, I congratulate everybody and, as has been mentioned earlier, there is part demolition of the 1910 administration building which has been sitting there for many years.

An honourable member: Heritage!

Mr BROCK: Heritage listed—but, unfortunately, it never got on there which is very fortunate. There will be a new facility which will include a student services room, sick rooms for the students and staff, counsellor rooms, more room for administration, and also a parents' meeting room. The improvements will also include sufficient toilets for both the staff and visitors. Currently, there are only two small cubicles, which have to be utilised by all the staff and visitors to the school. The total cost, as has been mentioned by the chairperson, is about $4.5 million, including demolition. This project has been discussed and been in the system for approximately three or four years and, again, will further enhance the school for the students and the teaching staff.

I also congratulate the governing school council, the staff and the teachers for persevering with the existing facilities for some years. It has been a very trying experience there, with some areas having to be cordoned off. I would like to compliment the great leadership there. The school is improving under the current principal, Trevor Rogers, and the staff, and there have been great inroads and great improvements over the last few years. I certainly commend the report to the parliament.

Motion carried.