Public Works Committee: Evanston Gardens Primary School Redevelopment

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (11:11): I move:

That the 519^th report of the committee, entitled Evanston Gardens Primary School Redevelopment, be noted.

The Department for Education and Child Development is proposing to upgrade the Evanston Gardens Primary School to an efficient, modern and functional education facility, at a cost of $6 million, GST exclusive. The school opened in 1908, with two of the existing buildings, the school house and the classroom block still in operation and to remain part of the school. Subsequent additions have resulted in timber transportable buildings, metal relocatable buildings and the Demac units.

The redevelopment will see a revamped library resource centre, which will be located in the old school house, and the administrative functions will then be delivered from the old classroom block. The upgrade will provide library resource facilities, reflective of current and future needs of the students. In addition, the project will also:

consolidate school functions and remove two non-fixed structures;

provide a new building with four general learning areas, a common learning street and support areas for staff;

address site access, egress and security issues;

address site infrastructure deficiencies; and

create new outdoor learning areas and shaded soft and hard recreation areas.

This development will allow for enrolment growth of up to 480 students, which will accommodate the land development currently occurring in the area, both at Evanston Gardens and Evanston South. Site works are due to commence in August this year and construction will be completed by October 2016. 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.

Debated adjourned on motion of Mr Gardner.