PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: ELIZABETH SPECIAL SCHOOL NEW SCHOOL

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (11:26): I move:

That the 448^th report of the committee, entitled Elizabeth Special School New School, be noted.

I note that this excellent facility will be moving out of my electorate and into another, but I am not bitter about that because it is a very good proposal. It involves the construction of a new school, to relocate Elizabeth Special School to a site adjacent to the excellent Mark Oliphant College at an estimated cost of $13.05 million, excluding GST.

Funds of $12.2 million were included in the 2009-10 state budget, together with funding of $0.85 million from the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program for a new activity hall, which brings the total project budget to $13.05 million, as I said.

The new school will accommodate approximately 130 students from reception to year 12. The scope of the development is summarised as follows: an administration and resource building; a gymnasium; a hall; a severe and multiple disabled subschool; junior, primary, middle and senior subschools; a sensory area; studio areas; a horticulture and bus enclosure; a central park; a staff car park; and student drop-off and pick-up zones.

The proposed project aims to provide modern, efficient and functional areas for the delivery of special needs education for Elizabeth Special School and for children in the northern suburbs. The key drivers for the development are to provide a secure, positive and caring community for the students, parents, caregivers and staff, where all are valued and can experience success in a contemporary educational setting, and to allow for students to develop to their maximum potential, with emphasis on the creation of flexible indoor and outdoor learning spaces. This project is expected to be completed by September 2013, and the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (11:28): The opposition supports the project.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (11:28): The provision of these facilities is welcome. There is quite a debate amongst educators and parents regarding whether you mainstream children who have an intellectual disability or whether you provide a separate facility. Many parents do not want their child to be seen as different from other children, and I can understand that, but the thing about these facilities, including these new ones, is that they are specially designed to cater for the needs of children who do have special needs. Some of these young people can be very challenging.

My brother John was a principal at Ashford Special School for probably 20 years and, prior to that, at Woodville Special School, and he was involved with Minda as well. The staff who work in these places are to be commended, because the challenges they face are significant. These facilities are special facilities, and that is what a lot of parents who choose not to send their child to one of these units often overlook. These special schools have particular facilities designed to assist those with an intellectual disability or some other disability.

I just make the point that the people who work in them—I could not do it myself—I commend for what they do, and we can help them and, more importantly, help the children by having up-to-date facilities. I commend the government for spending this money, because it is needed and it is important that we do not overlook children who have significant disabilities, and the provision of these new facilities will certainly help them and the wider community.

Motion carried.