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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-09-19 Daily Xml
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PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: WHYALLA SPECIAL SCHOOL NEW SCHOOL

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (11:30): I move:

That the 452nd report of the committee, entitled Whyalla Special School New School, be noted.

The committee has received the proposal to develop a new Whyalla Special School adjacent to the Nicolson Avenue primary and junior primary school site at an estimated cost of $7.2 million (excluding GST). The new school will accommodate a total of 64 students. This equates to a maximum of 16 students for reception to year 7 and 48 students for years 8 to 12. The scope of the redevelopment is as follows:

two single-storey buildings comprising six general learning areas with secure play zones, four withdrawal areas, an independent living unit, storage, student toilets, administration, library resource and activity hall;

relocated dual metal transportable building comprising two general learning areas, withdrawal spaces and student toilets;

individual outdoor open space and play areas;

new covered outdoor learning area;

a new flat-grassed playing area;

increased staff and visitor car parking with improved safety; and

improved staff and student circulation.

The project is expected to be completed by October 2013, and, given this and pursuant to the act, the committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (11:31): The opposition supports the project and is keen to see it go ahead.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (11:31): I acknowledge the strong support of the government for improving facilities for children who have particular disabilities, and I would make the general point that there are still many parents who will not avail themselves of these facilities believing that they want their children to be, to use the current term, 'mainstreamed'.

These special schools have specially-trained staff. They are well equipped and have appropriate resources and facilities. I note in recent times people talking about creating a special school for children with autism. We had one once at Glen Osmond. It did not survive because the cost of running it was so high that it was pretty hard for parents to sustain it.

One of the great costs involved with special education is that the department (DECD) provides transport to those schools for children who have particular disabilities. It is a very significant commitment by the state government, reflected not only in the upgrading of this special school at Whyalla but also many around the state, and I acknowledge its ongoing commitment to providing transport arrangements for children who have disabilities and for the actual physical infrastructure itself.

I would ask parents to reflect carefully on any decision to deny their child with special needs the opportunity to be in one of these schools on the false premise, I think, that they are better being mainstreamed. These schools can provide the help and assistance that those children need. I commend the government for its ongoing commitment and the Public Works Committee for its support of this project.

Motion carried.

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