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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-06-24 Daily Xml
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Public Works Committee: Reynella East College Redevelopment

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (11:53): I move:

That the 120th report of the committee for the Fifty-Fourth Parliament, entitled Reynella East College Redevelopment Project, be noted.

Reynella East College is located on Malbeck Drive, Reynella East, within the City of Onkaparinga. The Department for Education has advised that the college offers education from preschool to year 12, with specialist programs in the arts, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and business. It is also a music focus school, offering an extensive instrumental music program from years 5 to 12. The college also offers a special focus Sports Academy program, providing a range of sports that includes Australian Rules, basketball, rugby, netball, soccer, volleyball and cricket.

Reynella East College was allocated funding of $10 million as part of the Department for Education's capital works program. This funding allocation was the subject of a further contribution of $1.2 million, with an additional $1.8 million approved as part of the Capital Works Assistance Scheme (CWAS), which is a loan scheme as members will be aware. As a result, the total project funding is $13 million.

Reynella East College requires capital works to provide sufficient capacity to accommodate approximately 1,900 students on the school site to cater for enrolment growth, including the transition of year 7 into high school in 2022. The Reynella East College redevelopment project will include the following scope of works:

the construction of a new gymnasium, including four competition courts, change rooms and amenities;

flexible classroom spaces;

office space, staff amenities and storage areas;

a commercial kitchen and canteen; and

construction of a new car park and landscaping.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to this project and received assurances that the appropriate consultation had been undertaken. The committee is satisfied that the proposal has been subject to the appropriate agency consultation and does meet the criteria for the examination of projects as described in 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.

Ms COOK (Hurtle Vale) (11:56): Thank you to the Public Works Committee for their work on this project, and I would like to pass on my hearty congratulations to Principal Caroline Green and the governing council of the school, headed up for many years by Barry Temme, although he stood down at the end of last year. They played a big part in advocating for not just this but many other projects over the years at Reynella East.

Reynella East is one of the biggest schools in the state. There are around 1,800 young people who are in the care of Reynella East College, and that is expected to rise over the next few years up to around 2,000. They run an extraordinary volleyball program, amongst other sports at the school, and this particular piece of infrastructure is much needed in terms of their capacity to be able to support many young people in my community.

It is important to note that, although the data does not always reflect it, the socio-economic profile of quite a number of families in that area reflects that they really are the ones who need additional supports and investment. So I really appreciate the four-year journey that it has taken from announcement to the completion—almost—of these works, and I look forward to seeing the ribbon being cut later this year.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (11:57): I am really pleased to be able to speak on the Public Works Committee's report on the upgrade to Reynella East College. It is a $13 million upgrade as part of what is now a $1.4 billion body of work, improving our public schools around South Australia—the most significant contribution of any state government to upgrading their public schools in the state's history.

I join with the member for Hurtle Vale in particularly commending Caroline Green, the principal, who is a well-regarded leader around public education in South Australia and has been for many years. Her journey as an educator in South Australia will, I am sure, continue for many years in one form or another after her retirement from her current role as principal, which is not too far away. She is going to be sorely missed, but Reynella East College will prosper and thrive.

I will be brief because we are running out of time, but can I say to anybody who is in the southern suburbs who has the possibility of driving past Reynella East College, right now you can see the skeleton of what is going to be the most spectacular school gym that you could possibly imagine in amongst some other upgrades to classrooms and other learning spaces. It is going to be dramatic and very impressive when it is completed towards the end of this year.

Currently, it is on track to be completed by the end of October. Indeed, whether there is a ribbon cutting at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, I look forward to joining the member for Hurtle Vale and potentially having a go on the basketball courts or one of the four basketball courts that are going to be underway in that gym, potentially, with Caroline Green.

Congratulations to Detail Studio Pty Ltd, Kennett Builders and all those in the education department—Helen Dwyer and her team—the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and the school governing council for their work on this project.

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (11:59): In view of the time, I acknowledge the contribution of all members and recommend the report to the house.

Motion carried.

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