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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-23 Daily Xml
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SCHOOLS, BUSHFIRE AREAS

Mr KENYON (Newland) (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Education. What steps is the government taking to protect students in schools classified as being in extreme fire risk areas?

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:30): I thank the member for Newland for his question and acknowledge his leadership in supporting his community in bushfire prone areas. Indeed, I know that he has taken me to schools and we have discussed this matter in the past.

Since the Victorian bushfires sent shock waves across Australia, with the tragic loss of life and property, we have been really forced to rethink our strategy across the country in terms of how we protect our communities. Certainly, the Department of Education and Children's Services has also looked at our facilities and at the schools and kindergartens we possess around the state, those key infrastructure centres which of course house our most valuable asset—our children—and they have to be looked after significantly during these events.

The Rann government has continued this year to put safety in our schools at the forefront of our strategy, and we have worked with the CFS to classify schools as those at the most risk and those at less risk, and we have put infrastructure in place to support those schools. We have already invested in 20 of the extreme high-risk schools to produce better infrastructure and support and, following further advice from the CFS and expert engineers, I am pleased to inform the house that we are investing a further $1.4 million in upgrading facilities in 16 schools that are recognised to be in high-risk fire areas.

The money is particularly going to be invested in static water supply facilities so that we will produce up to 72,000 litres of water storage, as well as, in some schools, investing in pumps and facilities to pump water should a fire occurred. This funding is part of the Rann government's $36 million School Pride asset funding program, which is a three year strategy. This investment ranges in contributions to various schools from between $33,000 and $170,000, depending on the scope of the work to be performed.

It is worth noting that many of these schools in risky areas are within the opposition leader's electorate, and I should mention that Scott Creek Primary, in her electorate, is one of those schools in a risk area that is receiving significant funds. In addition, Banksia Park International High will receive $110,000 and Melrose Primary $33,000.

Whilst the government is continuing its preparation for this year's bushfire season, significant work is already underway to minimise the risks for this season. We will continue to survey schools and preschools and work with the CFS and engineers to determine what additional infrastructure upgrades might be necessary. Of course, all schools in identifiable bushfire zones are required to have a bushfire management strategy, which is actually different from the strategies in place for a normal fire.

Clearly, the evacuation protocols are different and the risks are different, so they have to be different strategies. However, all our schools also have maintenance schedules, which include removing leaves from gutters, regularly cleaning these areas and also making sure that fire hydrants and infrastructure are functional. In particular, these water tanks will be of use for schools.

We will continue to work with the CFS to make sure that our schools are properly protected. Whilst we recognise that there is more work to do, we are well on track for protecting schools this fire season.

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