Public Works Committee: Mount Gambier High School Redevelopment

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (11:57): I move:

That the 118^th report of the committee for the Fifty-Fourth Parliament, entitled Mount Gambier High School Redevelopment Project, be noted.

I am cognisant of the time and I will make sure I do not detain the house. Mount Gambier High School is located on Brownes Road, Mount Gambier within the City of Mount Gambier. Mount Gambier High School was allocated funding of $6 million as part of the Department for Education's capital works program. The redevelopment will consist of demolition, new works and refurbishment of existing facilities to accommodate up to 1,000 students on the high school site, and also to cater for enrolment growth through the transition of year 7 to high school.

Mount Gambier High School will see works to ensure the construction of two new single-storey buildings providing general learning areas, various ancillary bases and outdoor learning spaces; refurbishment of science laboratories over two levels; replacement of the level 1 walkway balustrade; partial refurbishment of the hall to include a student hub adjacent to the existing canteen; demolition of transportable accommodation; and landscaping and civil works. Construction for the project commenced during the later part of last year and earlier this year, and we expect to see completion of those works later this calendar year.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to this project and received assurances that the appropriate consultation in relation to this project had been undertaken. The committee is satisfied the proposal has been subject to the appropriate agency consultation and meets the criteria for the examination of projects contemplated by the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991. Based on the evidence considered 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 and also commends the school and the school community on ensuring that they were able to win funding for these works.

It is a very substantial and significant investment. I also acknowledge the commitment of the local member to ensuring that this investment has been made, and I recognise the school council and the school leadership group. As I mentioned earlier, and again it bears repeating, the minister has seen through an enormous capital works program right across the state. This is an essential school in the Mount Gambier community, one that is deeply loved and has an extraordinarily successful educational offering, and we are very pleased to be recommending this investment.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (11:59): I must take the minute that remains in the time allocated to comment on this body of work, because the Mount Gambier High School development, $6 million, is going to be fantastic when it is completed later this year. I know that the Treasurer, who is a Mount Gambier boy, is deeply interested to see how it concludes.

I also advise that my senior adviser, Gary Costello, was the principal at this school for a period of time, and after visiting the school I know that he is still engaged in the lives of pretty much everyone in Mount Gambier. We are very keen to see the work completed. We are very confident that Grieve Gillett Andersen, Kennett Pty Ltd, and the staff and students, the leadership of Mount Gambier High School, are doing a great job and I look forward to seeing the completed works.

Motion carried.