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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-02-22 Daily Xml
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Public Works Committee: Seaview Downs Primary School Redevelopment

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:51): I move:

That the 52nd report of the committee, entitled Seaview Downs Primary School Redevelopment, be noted.

The Department for Education proposes to redevelop the Seaview Downs Primary School through the demolition of existing aged infrastructure and the construction of new flexible modern learning areas and new administration facilities. Seaview Downs Primary School is located within the southern metropolitan region of Adelaide on Ross Street, Seaview Downs, within the City of Marion.

Much of the existing school infrastructure is demountable accommodation containing asbestos. Therefore, this project proposes the redevelopment of essentially the entire school, except for the gymnasium, with the key drivers being to improve street presence and the school's connectivity to the community and provide new accommodation to support contemporary teaching and learning.

The project will construct education infrastructure and administration facilities which meet legislative compliance requirements and delivers the department's benchmark accommodation for students in a primary school. Upon completion, it will result in an increase of the total school enrolment capacity to 466 places, which will support the increase in enrolments projected for the school in the coming years.

The capital cost of the development is $19 million, and it will be funded through the department's existing resources. Construction has commenced, with practical completion expected in August 2025. Construction of the new accommodation and the demolition of the aged buildings and connected site works, including the upper car park, plazas, landscaping and play areas, will be in a staged manner due to the requirement of the school to remain operational during the project works. The project will incorporate construction of a new building to include an administration area, new general learning areas, interdisciplinary learning areas, a library resource, a community hub, a wellbeing space and other amenities.

As well as providing access through to the existing gym, the concept design of the new building will create a contemporary education space through the formation of a series of interconnected zones, creating a 'schools within a school' atmosphere, with the junior and senior learning zones comprising an arrangement of classrooms along linear learning commons and quiet rooms.

The Seaview Downs Primary School overlooks the Seacliff and Kingston Park waterfronts and the exterior and interior design of the new facilities will reflect this unique environment by including a neutral colour palette inspired by the sea and nature through accents in finishes, joinery and furniture. The landscaping design will enable students to engage in nature play and hard play, as well as provide a strong visual connection to the school buildings.

The department confirms that the Disability Discrimination Act has been considered with regard to the new facilities to incorporate compliant paths and stairs to school terraces, and soft landscaping settings. With staff and students to remain on site during construction, risks will be mitigated through utilising a staged approach to meet the needs of the school without impeding the project, with staff and student access needs to the oval and existing gym maintained throughout the construction period.

The department states that three options were considered for the project, including option 1, a 'do nothing' approach; option 2, build a completely new school; and option 3, redevelop and construct new facilities on the existing Seaview Downs Primary School site. Redeveloping and constructing new facilities was determined as the best option, as there is a need to provide new facilities for staff and students, but the gymnasium did not need replacing. It was determined as the best solution as it provides for the construction of new infrastructure and the redevelopment of existing educational facilities that fall in line with the school's needs, representing contemporary requirements.

Sustainable development principles and environmental objectives were incorporated into the design and policies for this project. These principles are incorporated to reduce energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions across the project's duration. All materials utilised will be durable, long-lasting, robust and high quality. The physical environmental initiatives will ensure that the redevelopment is climate responsive through the strategic positioning of spaces, the protection of outdoor transition spaces and the provision of adequate levels of shade through increasing tree canopy levels, as well as the incorporation of plants to benefit from microclimatic conditions.

Project management will follow best practice principles as advocated by the state government and construction industry authorities. Risk assessments have been undertaken and have determined that there is a medium range of risk relating to construction, design and project cost. To address these risks, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport is providing risk management services through project management, design, cost, procurement and construction.

The Department for Environment and Water has confirmed that there are no local heritage places or items on the site. After consultation with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation unit, the department confirms that there are no native title implications over the site area either.

Extensive engagement and consultation has occurred with the school principal, the governing council, school staff and the education director, who all endorse this project. Consultation with the governing council and staff at each stage of the project has ensured that there has been direct representation on all stages of the project development.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to the Seaview Downs Primary School redevelopment. Witnesses who appeared before the committee were Helen Doyle, Director, Capital Projects and Technical Services, Department for Education; John Harrison, Director, Building Projects, Department for Infrastructure and Transport; and Tony Materne, Partner, MPH Architects. I take this opportunity to thank the witnesses for their time.

Based upon 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.

Motion carried.

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