The Heights School Capital Works

In reply to Mr BOYER (Wright) (23 November 2020). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education): I am advised of the following:

The Heights School was allocated a $10 million budget under the Department for Education's capital works program. The Heights School capital works project is currently in construction to deliver the following scope:

a new primary learning facility with contemporary classrooms, surrounding a central covered outdoor learning area

a new gymnasium with an international size sports court for physical education, assemblies, performances and presentations

demolition of ageing infrastructure.

In May 2020, the final pre-tender estimate provided by the project's cost manager indicated that the project was over the approved budget of $10 million by 3.3 per cent prior to going to tender. Following the tender process, the recommended tenderer that was awarded the construction contract was favourable and this project is anticipated to therefore be delivered at or within the allocated project budget.

Under the department's capital works program, contracts are awarded through a competitive tender process following a rigorous evaluation. Savings from any projects that come in under budget are retained by the Department for Education to be used as a pool of funding for managing any cost pressures that may arise for projects that come in over budget or face particular cost pressures due to unforeseen issues. This is standard practice for Department for Education capital works programs over many years and is a key component in mitigating risk to the delivery of the overall program of works.